Splitsville News

Because divorce is the legal ending of a marriage, there are some aspects of a case that must go through the court.  The paperwork that you file to request a divorce must go through the court.  However, options for having an amicable divorce do exist.

One way to help the divorce process be less stressful–and post-divorce life to be better–is to work with a mediator.  A mediator is a person trained to assist clients in communicating, working through disagreements and brainstorming options.  Sometimes attorneys work as mediators, however a mediator is not required to be a lawyer.  Regardless of what professional background a mediator comes from, he or she may or may not be a “fit” for you depending on whether you feel comfortable with their style and whether they have the knowledge/experience needed for your case.  You can find some more information about mediation here.

Another way to resolve issues outside of court is through a process called “Collaborative Law”.  In Collaborative Law, each party has hired his or her own attorney, and everyone–attorneys included–sign a participation agreement that says that they will not go to court.  Negotiations in the case are then handled in a series of meetings, and it is very common for shared experts like a financial expert or a communication coach to participate in the process to help move negotiations forward.  Collaborative Law can be a fit in many instances, including situations that are complicated legally, financially or emotionally.  Here is more information about Collaborative Law, from the organization to which most practitioners belong.