Is a Collaborative Divorce Right for You?
Litigated divorce proceedings can cost you and your spouse $100,000, money that could be spent establishing a new life for yourself post divorce. A new practice of collaborative divorce has become popular among couples who want to get divorced without spending as much time or money on this painful process. Learn more about the concept of collaborative divorce to determine if it is the right approach for you.
What is Collaborative Divorce?
In the collaborative divorce process, you, your spouse, and your divorce lawyers work together to determine a fair settlement of all marital assets outside of the courtroom. Even in a mediated divorce proceeding, there may still be a lot of tension between you and your spouse. For this reason, collaborative divorces benefit from the presence of divorce lawyers who can keep you and your spouse on track when determining asset and income distribution in a divorce.
The American Bar Association (ABA) reported on an out-of-court amicable divorce model, which served 45 families in its inaugural year. The ABA found that the average collaborative divorce in the model took just 3 to 4 month to complete and that participants reported less emotional anguish due to the amicable nature of the collaborative model.
It is well documented that children suffer the most in a divorce. By working with a divorce attorney who can help maintain an amicable environment, you and your spouse can work through issues of custody, child support, alimony, and visitation. You can divide assets fairly for all parties. Since you will need to parent with your spouse for the rest of your child’s life, it makes good sense to keep open lines of communication and to limit rancor. A collaborative separation and divorce process makes it easier to do this, limiting your family’s pain now and in the future.
Benefits of California Collaborative Divorces
This type of divorce can be faster, less painful, less expensive, and less stressful than courtroom proceedings. If you and your spouse have children and you want to limit their anguish during the divorce process, you may be especially attracted to the possibility of settling your divorce outside of court.
Even if there are no children, this gentler approach to divorce can be compelling for couples who want to put separation behind them and move on with their lives without spending months tied up in a bitter legal battle. Wealthy couples who do not want to air their financial data in public also appreciate this approach.
With backgrounds in mediation and dispute resolution, the California divorce attorneys at the Law Office of Renkin & Associates have demonstrated experience helping individuals work through difficult issues with mutual respect and clear communication.
Especially during high-end divorces, where many assets are involved and a courtroom proceeding would be lengthy, a divorce lawyer with mediation experience can help both spouses divide assets fairly and move past emotional impasses that threaten the process.
Speak With a California Collaborative Divorce Attorney
As a Certified Family Law Specialist, Attorney Richard M. Renkin has helped countless parties
get divorced in California. Attorney Renkin can represent your best interests in a collaborative process, bringing closure to your marital relationship while advocating for your interests and advising you during the settlement process. With decades of divorce attorney experience, Attorney Richard M. Renkin can be a trusted ally throughout a California collaborative divorce.
To schedule a new client case evaluation with a San Diego divorce attorney, please complete our online form or call us at (619) 299-7100.
Photo via Flickr by visualpun.ch
