Divorce can be complicated. From financial struggles to combative behavior, divorce may feel like you versus your ex. But when the split is mutual and you just want to figure things out, a collaborative divorce may be better suited to your needs. If you and your ex are looking to divorce but want to keep things mutually beneficial for your future, you need the collaborative divorce process. Kalinoski Law Offices can help.
What is collaborative divorce?
Collaborative divorce is a voluntary process where couples utilize mediation and negotiation to achieve a divorce settlement that works to the needs of both parties and any children involved.
Collaborative divorce is not only the more mutually beneficial course of action but it also:
- Saves time and money
- Occurs in an informal setting, allowing for free and honest communication between parties
- Allows both parties to negotiate
- Allows the parties to decide how disputes can be resolved in the future
How does it work?
Because collaborative divorce is not as formal as a hearing before a judge, the process is a bit different than that of the standard divorce.
- 1. You will need to hire an attorney who is familiar with mediation and is comfortable being a conscientious advocate for a mutually beneficial end result.
- 2. Let your attorney know before the mediation session what you need out of this as well as where you are willing to bend. This may be financially what you need in support for your children, or in the distribution of assets.
- 3. You and your attorney will have to meet with your ex and their attorney. These mediation sessions will not be one and done, rather, they may require the neutral input of other professionals such as child custody experts and accountants.
- 4. If you are having a difficult time coming to an agreement, you may need to bring in a mediator who can help guide all parties through the process.
- 5. You may ask your attorneys to sign a no court agreement which means if the divorce must go to court, the attorneys will not be the ones to represent you.
- 6. If the process works, you can simply take your filing to a family court as this will not be contested.
Why Collaborative Divorce May Be Best
Divorce is not always because of the ugly ending of a marriage. In many cases, two people have grown apart from one another. Though the romantic love may be gone, the mutual respect is often present. Utilizing the collaborative divorce process will allow you and your ex to go through the process without the creation of hard feelings. Often, this preserves the family and friend connections you have made together, which is beneficial not only to the separating couple but for any children involved.
Pennsylvania Collaborative Divorce Attorney: Craig Kalinoski
Divorce attorney Craig P. Kalinoski is both a tough negotiator and an experienced litigator who earns fair resolutions. This allows clients to have more control over important decisions so that they can reach an agreement, keeping the decisions out of the hands of a judge.
If you are looking for a divorce attorney to guide you through collaborative divorce, attorney Craig Kalinoski is here for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.