When going through a divorce, couples oftentimes look for quicker, cheaper and less stressful ways to terminate their marriage. A contested divorce can involve many negotiations, court time and emotional trauma. When spouses come to us asking for an easier way, we often suggest a collaborative divorce. This process is generally cheaper than going through litigation, it allows for more privacy and brings about much less stress than a contested divorce. On top of that, it can be completed much quicker because there is no hassle with court proceedings. If you have any questions regarding this option of divorce, contact a Marietta divorce lawyer from Henrickson & Sereebutra.
In a collaborative divorce there are four parties working together; you, your spouse and both of your lawyers. There are four major steps involved in the process, including:
- Disclosure: You and your spouse will need to disclose all assets and income with verification through tax returns and any other documents necessary.
- Conferences: You and your spouse plus your lawyers and any other neutral parties will meet and discuss all of the divorce issues while finding ways to reach agreements.
- Issue Resolution: Decisions will be made on the divorce issues such as child support, child custody, spousal support, property division and debts.
- Written Agreement: The lawyers will draft the agreement and legal documents required to finalize the divorce and then submit them to the court for approval.
If, for some reason, you and your spouse are unable to reach an agreement through these negotiations, you may have to go to court. The twist to this type of divorce is that if you have to enter divorce litigation, both parties need to be represented by different attorneys. This generally provides more of an incentive for both parties to settle because retaining another lawyer can cost more and take much more time. For help in your collaborative divorce, contact a Marietta divorce attorney from our firm.