Collaborative divorce is a process in which both parties in a divorce work together, along with their respective attorneys and other professionals, to negotiate a settlement outside of court. The goal of collaborative divorce is to create a mutually satisfactory agreement that meets the needs of both parties and any children involved.
The process typically begins with each spouse hiring their own attorney who is trained in collaborative law. The spouses then meet together with their attorneys and possibly other professionals such as financial experts or mental health professionals to identify the issues and develop a plan to resolve them. Both parties agree to work together in good faith, to disclose all relevant information, and to negotiate in a respectful and non-adversarial manner.
If the parties are unable to reach a settlement through collaborative divorce, the attorneys involved must withdraw from the case, and the parties will need to hire new attorneys to represent them in court. This incentivizes both parties to work together to come to a mutually satisfactory agreement.
Collaborative divorce can be a less expensive, less contentious and more private alternative to traditional divorce proceedings. It can also be less stressful for both parties, as they maintain control over the process and the outcome, rather than leaving the decision-making up to a judge.
If you’re considering a collaborative divorce, it’s important to talk to an attorney to learn more about the process and to see if it’s the right option for you.
Attorney O’Connor has extensive experience with divorce, collaborative divorce, divorce mediation and military divorce and and is available to serve you in Tampa Bay, Brandon, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Plant City, Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Polk County and Osceola County.
