The Benefits of a Collaborative Divorce

The pain associated with divorce can be unbearable. Regardless of the reason, the separation of a family is tough on all parties involved. Fortunately, there are options in place designed to alleviate some of the stress of this difficult time. Increasingly in the state of Florida families are opting to use the collaborative divorce process to settle their legal affairs. During the collaborative divorce process the spouses agree to retain attorneys who will not engage in court battles; alternatively, the attorneys only act as settlement specialists. An experienced divorce attorney is vital to ensuring a divorce is handled in a manner that is best for all parties.

Discretion

One of the primary benefits of the collaborative divorce process is the privacy that the individuals can maintain. Rather than having a public legal battle in the county courthouse, individuals participating in a collaborative divorce meet in private locations and ensure that confidential discussions take place. This provides a level of anonymity to high-profile individuals who are worried about sensitive personal or financial information becoming public knowledge.

Respect

The traditional divorce experience is adversarial in nature. Often the court process creates a competitive environment where each party tries to persuade the judge to rule in favor of their interests. Child custody battles and financial disputes erode an already tumultuous situation, only hurting those closest to the family. Fortunately, the collaborative divorce process is designed to eliminate these conditions. Since both attorneys are focusing on resolving the issue in a way that is best for the family, there will be constructive discussions with all individuals’ best interests in mind.

Efficiency

In a typical divorce proceeding, a significant amount of time and money is spent on preparing for court proceedings and trial. Countless hours and thousands of dollars are spent in a process that almost always ends in settlement. However, during a collaborative divorce, attorneys are not allowed to engage in court proceedings; therefore, all of their time goes into reaching an agreement that is acceptable by both parties.

Additional Benefits

It is a well-known fact that a divorce is not just a legal event. There are deep mental, emotional, and financial implications to a couple’s decision to file for divorce. With this in mind, most collaborative divorces also enlist the help of a financial professional and a facilitator. These individuals act as unbiased mediators to help individuals look past emotions and make decisions while looking at the bigger picture.  Typically, the facilitator is a mental health specialist who will ensure that the spouses focus on what is most important to them.

Additionally, a collaborative divorce allows individuals to set parameters that fit their specific needs. Meaning, the individuals can be more flexible in designing their agreement to fit any minor detail they chose. On the other hand, a judge’s ruling will normally be broader, and whatever the judge rules the individuals will be bound to.

Let Us Help You with Your Family Law Case

Unfortunately, the divorce process can often be a messy and hostile environment, however, there are alternatives. If you are in the midst of a divorce and have questions about how the collaborative process may benefit you call attorney Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. in Fort Lauderdale today.