If you and your partner put yourselves in the “amicable divorce” category, you might be considering an alternative to a court-based proceeding. If there is no hostility between you and your partner, and you have been able to preserve a high level of trust, you might be considering a collaborative divorce. We explain how that works in California.
Collaborative Divorce Puts You in (Shared) Control
Unlike divorce mediation, a collaborative divorce does not require a mediator at all. Instead, each party is accompanied by their attorney, and meetings take place at a neutral location. Couples work together to come to an agreement about child custody and visitation, child support, and division of property. Each party might hire experts in various fields to provide input and ensure fairness. These resources might include:
- Financial specialist. The parties might consult an accountant to assist with dividing assets, calculating support payments, and other financial matters.
- Psychologist. A couple’s counselor or another therapist might be included in the process to talk the partners through the decisions that need to be made.
- Child-life expert. The ultimate goal of a collaborative divorce involving children is to protect their best interests. A child psychologist or other specialist can be asked to talk to the children and provide recommendations.
In order for a collaborative divorce to work, there must be full disclosure and complete honesty throughout the process. If the couple cannot come to an agreement and decide to go the litigation route, their respective lawyers cannot be retained for the court case.
Contact Nathan Law Offices to Discuss Alternative Dispute Resolution Options
Whether you choose a collaborative divorce or mediation, these processes are generally less adversarial, quicker, and more cost-effective ways to deal with divorce. They also avoid the stress of having to step into a courtroom and hand control of your life over to a judge. If you think you and your spouse are good candidates for an alternative to a court-based divorce, give us a call. Allow us to answer your questions concerning methods other than heading straight to court for resolving your divorce.
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