Collaborative divorce is a method of negotiating a divorce settlement whereby both parties, with their respective lawyers, meet together to reach agreements on each aspect of the divorce contract, including child custody, visitation, and financial arrangements.

Is collaborative divorce cheaper?

However, for most couples, collaborative divorce is significantly cheaper than going to court. Attorney Michelle Crosby, the founder of the online divorce company WeVorce, says in a U.S. News interview that the average cost of a collaborative divorce is between 25% and 50% as much as a litigated divorce.

Why collaborative divorce does not work?

There may be issues with communication, personalities, values, and hurt feelings that can make the collaborative process absolutely useless. If your soon-to-be former spouse is a bully, or cheater, or if their attorney is, having the court system can keep them in check.

What is a litigated divorce?

What Is Divorce Litigation? Divorce litigation is a method of divorce dispute resolution. This process involves submitting issues to family court in order to resolve them. Families will often choose litigation if they cannot reach an agreement through other divorce options.

What is the goal of a collaborative divorce?

The goal of collaborative divorce is to resolve your marital issues without court intervention and then incorporate the terms of your agreements into a divorce settlement agreement (sometimes called a property or marital settlement agreement).

Can a divorce settlement be signed by both spouses?

Once the divorce settlement is signed by both spouses and accepted as fair and equitable by the court, it is incorporated into a document that formally dissolves the marriage. This settlement requires guidance of a professional with financial experience in a divorce settlement.

What should be included in a collaborative participation agreement?

To that end, they agree as follows: Communication with the children, or in the children’s presence, regarding settlement issues will occur only if it is appropriate and done by mutual agreement and/or with the advice of a neutral mental health professional.

How to create a mutually agreeable settlement agreement?

To achieve a mutually agreeable settlement, the parties must be able to speak freely and express their respective interests, needs, desires and options without concern that they will be criticized or judged by the other. Each party will listen respectfully to the other’s point of view and attempt to understand it even if they do not agree with it.