Have you had a friend or family member whose had nothing but complaints about their divorce? It is likely they wish they had had another alternative that did not destroy their parenting relationship or their wallets. Divorce has a cost but it can be minimized by the steps you are willing to take.
Who do you want your attorney to be? Someone who approaches your spouse as an adversary? Someone who can guide you to less hostile interaction with your spouse?
Perhaps you should consider a collaborative divorce. Collaborative lawyers have a completely different view of their function in the collaborative process. We call it a “paradigm shift.” Instead of being dedicated to getting the largest possible piece of the pie for one side, no matter the human or financial cost to either or both of the parties or the family, collaborative lawyers are dedicated to helping their clients achieve the best outcome for their post-divorce restructured families.
Collaborative lawyers do not act as hired guns, do not take advantage of mistakes inadvertently made by the other side, do not threaten, demean or insult, or focus on the negative of either client. They expect and encourage the highest good-faith problem-solving behavior from their own clients as well as themselves. They offer their clients the advantage of working with other neutral professionals to provide options before any final decisions are made.
What is the benefit? You begin to work on an agreement from the first meeting without court intervention. You get the help you need to make sound decisions. You have the tools to leave the marriage and still communicate as co-parents. You have the best opportunity to minimize the toll on your emotional well being. Would it make sense to you to know there are several ways to approach a divorce? Aren't you and your family worth exploring all those options?
