When Should I Try Collaborative Divorce in Atlanta?

When most spouses picture themselves going through divorce, they see themselves in court. However, your divorce doesn’t have to be like this – and you might not even need to go to court. You can avoid litigation with strategies like collaborative law – and this is becoming increasingly popular among many spouses. Speak with an experienced Atlanta divorce lawyer to determine whether this option might be right for you.

Choose Collaborative Law if You Think You Can Negotiate in Good Faith 

You should choose collaborative law if you think you can negotiate with your ex in good faith. If either spouse seems likely to become combative during these discussions, it might not be the right path. You might also want to avoid collaborative law if you think your ex is simply using these negotiations to stall for time.

That being said, collaborative law is not reserved only for amicable divorce. Spouses who vehemently disagree with one another may find ways to resolve their differences through this alternative dispute resolution (ADR) method. Even if you feel bitter and resentful toward your ex, you may both agree that the benefits of collaborative law are worth exploring.

Choose Collaborative Law if You Value Privacy 

Collaborative law is an inherently confidential process, and both spouses typically sign non-disclosure agreements before beginning discussions. This ensures that embarrassing or sensitive details never become public knowledge. This is not the case in a divorce trial, where almost every detail of the process goes on public record. Virtually anyone can access these records, and this may be particularly concerning for business leaders, public personas, celebrities, and so on.

Choose Collaborative Law if You Want to Save Money 

Spouses of all walks of life recognize the value of saving money during divorce. It is no secret that a divorce trial can become exceedingly expensive, and collaborative law limits these legal fees by keeping the process relatively simple. Negotiations occur in a private room with no judges, clerks, or other court officials. Therefore, the entire process requires fewer people and becomes less expensive.

Choose Collaborative Law if You Want a Faster Divorce 

Collaborative law can also make your divorce much faster. Although a speedy resolution is never guaranteed, these negotiations can theoretically conclude in a matter of weeks. In comparison, a divorce trial can last years. Most spouses want to move on with their lives as quickly as possible, and this is an achievable goal with collaborative law.

The speed at which this process occurs also explains its affordability. Spend less time on your divorce, and you won’t have to pay your attorneys as much. Remember, these legal professionals charge by the hour.

Can an Atlanta Divorce Lawyer Help Me? 

An Atlanta divorce lawyer might be able to help with collaborative law. However, you should choose an attorney who has specific experience with collaborative divorce if you’re serious about pursuing this option. For example, Buckhead Family Law has experience with collaborative law – and our family law attorneys in Atlanta may be able to help in this regard.

Source:

 aw.hofstra.edu/pdf/academics/journals/lawreview/lrv_issues_v38n02_cc1_ucla_final.pdf