Alternatives to Litigating Your Divorce
Although divorce is notorious for being a time-consuming and emotional process, there are ways to make the process easier on all of the parties involved. For instance, litigating a divorce is not always necessary, as many couples are able to dissolve their marriages through less acrimonious methods, such as mediation or collaborative divorce. If you and your spouse have decided to end your marriage and you believe that you could be able to negotiate your divorce settlement in an out-of-court setting, you should contact an experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce mediation attorney who can walk you through your legal options.
Divorce Mediation
Divorce mediation is a popular choice for many divorcing couples who don’t have an acrimonious relationship and are willing to negotiate issues, such as child custody, property division, and alimony. Mediation is overseen by a third party known as a mediator, who does not advocate for one party over another, but remains neutral. Rather than offering legal advice, mediators help divorcing couples decide what constitutes an equitable agreement for both parties. It is still important, however, for the parties to retain attorneys who can review any settlement agreements and ensure that they are fair.
Although mediation has proven successful for couples in a wide range of circumstances, couples who don’t have children, or who have kept their finances relatively separate are often in the best position to mediate their differences. While mediation can be a less expensive, less acrimonious way to dissolve a marriage, it isn’t right for everyone, so if you have questions about mediation and divorce, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney who can advise you.
Collaborative Divorce
Another option for divorcing couples is collaborative divorce, which involves a commitment between two parties to focus on reaching an out-of-court settlement agreement with the assistance of their attorneys. Unlike mediation, collaborative divorce usually involves the input of a team of professionals, including:
- Collaborative divorce facilitators;
- A certified public accountant;
- A financial planner;
- A divorce coach;
- Business valuation experts;
- Parenting specialists;
- Professional appraisers; and
- Mental health professionals.
These individuals can play a crucial role in helping divorcing parties stay focused on amicably resolving their issues, while also ensuring that all marital assets are properly accounted for, appraised, and divided. The advice of therapists, parenting specialists, and mental health professionals can also help couples with children come up with a parenting plan that is in their best interests.
Like mediation, collaborative divorce negotiations are kept completely confidential, although couples do have the option of expanding or contracting the scope of that confidentiality. This is important for many couples, as divorces that are litigated become a matter of public record, which can cause complications for parties who own significant or especially valuable assets, who hold important positions in their communities, or who own businesses.
Call Our Office Today
Please contact dedicated divorce mediation lawyer Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. at 954-945-7591 to learn more about the alternatives to divorce litigation. Initial consultations are offered free of charge, so please don’t hesitate to call or contact us online today.
Resource:
https://www.flcourts.org/Resources-Services/Alternative-Dispute-Resolution/Mediation-in-Florida