When many people think of divorce, they picture a couple battling in court over everything from the family home to the family pet. Divorce litigation can be a long, grueling process and take an emotional and financial toll on families. However, not every divorce has to be this way. In fact, many Massachusetts couples find a way to end their marriage outside of the courtroom.
Collaborative divorce allows you to meet with financial planners, therapists and appraisers to resolve disputes that may arise in your divorce. The collaborative process is typically more efficient and allows both parties to have an equal voice.
Both parties in a collaborative law setting will be represented by attorneys. This process differs from mediation in that each party has their own lawyer. While mediators cannot speak with parties individually in private, collaborative law allows each party to speak one-on-one with their attorney. This allows parties to address any concerns they may have about the process, while still managing to avoid the courtroom.
If the parties are unable to come to an agreement, their attorneys are disqualified from representing them in litigation, and the parties have to obtain new experts. This provides the parties with incentive to stick with the process and resolve their dispute.
At our law firm, we are aware of the advantages of collaborative law divorces. But, this process isn’t for everyone. In some scenarios, the parties may need to proceed in court and, at times, go all the way to a trial. But, for more information on how you might be able to resolve your divorce by using collaborative law, please visit our law firm’s website.