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Getting divorced is a huge decision, and it is never a pleasant experience. However, it is possible to walk away with peace of mind and a sense of closure. This is the goal of collaborative divorce, which combines mediation with amicable decision making.
The idea is that every party has the opportunity to decide what is best for everyone involved, instead of each party looking to get as much as they can out of the other person. This process enables couples who decide to end their marriage to work together with lawyers and other family professionals in order to avoid having their divorce end up in court. Collaborative divorce facilitates resolving other families’ issues as well, such as disputes between spouses.
There are some disadvantages to collaborative divorce, however. Critics have stated that it is unethical because each lawyer would have divided loyalty instead of acting in the interest of their party. However, the American Bar Association’s Ethics Committee has ruled that collaborative divorce is not unethical so long as each party is properly informed during the process.
Another drawback is price, as collaborative divorce is more expensive than mediation. Mediation costs about $6,6000, whereas a collaborative divorce will cost about $20,000. Settlements by rival lawyers cost $26,830 and full-scale litigation costs a much larger sum of $77,746.
Mediation is not always the best choice. Meditation can be tricky, to say the least, if you don’t have your lawyer at the table to guide you throughout the process. Moreover, it can be daunting to go through mediation without a lawyer.
Collaborative divorce is not for everyone, but it is a very sensible option. This is especially true for couples who aren’t especially anger but are just ready to part ways. Most of all, collaborative divorce fosters cooperation, and allows couples to get on with life. The Glendale divorce attorneys at The Sampair Group will help you through the process.
