Home » Blog » Collaborative Law Resolves Family Issues In Florida Without Legal Fight
Collaborative Law Resolves Family Issues In Florida Without Legal Fight
When two people fall out of love they can often end up in a bitter court battle, turning into each other’s worst adversaries. They fight over money, child custody, division of marital property and anything else they can. However, some couples want to handle their divorce in a non-adversarial manner and choose to use a collaborative law process.
What Is Collaborative Law?
According to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, collaborative law is a process where both parties work together to negotiate the terms of their divorce and other family law matters. Each party has an attorney and uses a team of professionals to negotiate for a settlement that each one can agree with. They agree to share all information that is relevant to the matter under negotiation and to use mediation, informal meetings and other methods other than having a judge decide the outcome.
Tampa Bay Times reports that the professionals used in the process are not adversarial. Instead, they work as neutral voices to help the parties understand what the best choices are for them and their particular situation. Cooperation and a willingness to work together help couples settle their divorce in a manner that enables them to maintain respect for each other and move forward without bitterness or anger.
Benefits Of Collaborative Law
If a couple can agree to work together, collaborative law can be a benefit for everyone involved in the following ways:
- Children will not be caught in a tug-of-war between their parents, making it possible for them to establish loving relationships with each one.
- Parents can co-parent together with less conflict – parents who learn to work together will be able to keep their children’s best interests as the goal.
- Couples may find ways to actually save money – sometimes working together enables couples to make more financially sound decisions relating to taxes and the division of assets.
- Parents will be able to maintain an active part in their children’s lives, attending birthdays, weddings and other special events without conflict interfering with the celebration.
- Collaborative law can reduce the amount of money that the couple will spend on legal and court fees.
- Couples who are going through a collaborative law divorce can often cut down the amount of time it will take for their divorce to be final. This means that they will be able to transition into a new life for themselves and their children with as little hassle as possible.
Deciding If Collaborative Law Is The Right Choice
While collaborative law can be a way to achieve a conflict-free divorce, U.S. News points out that it is not the right option for everyone. For example, if there is a spouse that dominates the other spouse, then this process is unlikely to work. If there is domestic violence present, then collaborative law may not be the best idea.
People who are considering divorce or dealing with other family law matters should speak with an experienced attorney to determine if collaborative law is the right choice for them.
Contact Our Divorce Law Firm in Orlando, FL
Contact the experienced Orlando divorce lawyers at McMichen, Cinami & Demps today for legal assistance. Contact our Orlando, FL office at (407) 898-2161 to schedule a free consultation.
McMichen, Cinami & Demps – Orlando Office
1500 E Concord St
Orlando, FL 32803