Navigating a divorce can be confusing and difficult both financially and emotionally. This is true no matter how long you and your spouse have been married or how many or few assets you have.
Although some divorce cases in Georgia are relatively straightforward, featuring no disagreement, the majority of spouses are somewhere in the middle. They can agree on some things, but not on everything. In this situation, collaborating with your soon-to-be-ex may be the smartest move you can make.
Collaborative divorce: What is it?
The purpose of collaborative divorce is to focus on resolving your and your future ex-spouse’s divorce issues outside of court rather than on trying to win fights in the courtroom. During this type of divorce process, you and your ex can use strategies such as informal negotiations to settle your divorce. However, this process works only if both you and your future ex are willing participants in it.
Why should I choose collaborative divorce?
Collaborating in a divorce, unlike going to trial, saves you money and time. It also takes place in an informal setting, so it can be a lot less stressful and less acrimonious compared with traditional divorce litigation. During collaboration, the exchange of information is honest, open and free.
The benefit of collaboration is that you and your spouse get to determine how to address disputes that occur after you have arrived at a settlement as well. You and the other party essentially remain in the driver’s seat, negotiating results that work for you rather than depending on a judge to make decisions for you.
What does collaboration involve?
With a collaborative divorce, you and the other party can expect to meet regularly to sort out your divorce issues with the help of a team of professionals. These professionals may include an accountant or a child support specialist, for example. It is critical that these professionals be party neutral so that no bias influences their input.
The matters you may tackle during collaboration include child support, child custody, property division and spousal support, for instance. When collaborating with your future ex, you have the right to fight for the outcome that is most favorable for you while trying to find common ground with the other party.