When facing the end of a marriage, it is easy to become caught up in worry over the future. You and your spouse may have cultivated significant assets during your time together. And, what’s more, the fate of children may be intertwined with your divorce. The steps you take can make a big difference, and you may find that a collaborative divorce will benefit your family.
A collaborative divorce is an alternate means of approaching your divorce arrangements. You and your spouse will each hire a separate attorney who advises you as you work through negotiations out of court. Collaborative law may benefit you in the following ways:
Control over your property – Because California is a community property state, the courts divide property and assets in a 50-50 split. In a collaborative divorce, however, you may negotiate with your spouse over the fate of your property.
Inclusion of professionals – In a collaborative divorce, you may also bring in experts to help you settle your matters. This may be especially beneficial to those who have children, as you and your spouse can best approach child custody arrangements without the need of a judge.
A faster, potentially lower-cost method – This method also may enable a faster means of divorce. And, if you and your spouse can come to agreements within a reasonable time, a collaborative divorce may be cheaper than divorce litigation.
No approach is perfect, and collaborative divorces or other alternative modes are not for everyone. You may find that divorce litigation is the best possible means of ending your marriage. Whatever the case, you may want to learn more by consulting an experienced attorney or otherwise qualified collaborative law professional.