DIVORCE OPTIONS: Are you at the edge of the rabbit hole? 5 ways not to fall in.
If you as a couple or individually are thinking of divorce, don’t let inertia or outside forces take you down the rabbit hole.
Consider these 5 things before you lose control of the situation.
Your family, sanity and finances will thank you.
1. Consider your options before moving forward with traditional divorce representation.
In the 21st century there are now options to “traditional representation aka litigation” for divorce that we have seen our parents and/or relatives maneuver. It can be difficult to stop the moving litigation train once started.
Representation aka Litigation involves retaining an Attorney to represent you in your legal matter. That will involve attending court hearings, motions, etc… all correspondence with opposing counsel and others as necessary, preparation of legal documents and more.
Learn more about Divorce Representation
Mediation involves the parties agreeing to meet with a Mediator outside of court. The Mediator acts as a Neutral and takes care of the parties collectively helping to address and reach consensus on all the issues involved coming to a full agreement.
Learn more about Divorce Mediation
2. Is it possible in your situation you and your spouse would be willing and able to meet with a third party (a Mediator, who is neutral) about a short term agreement to maintain the status quo before hiring attorneys or filing in court?
If so, this will allow you, your spouse and your children to move thoughtfully forward and maintain the minimal amount of trust necessary to get through this event. If not, one or both parties will go to a litigation attorney and the ride will start. Litigation is much more time consuming and costly than Mediation, however not all parties are able to mediate and prefer to have an Attorney represent them and speak for them and on their behalf as necessary.
3. Determine the total estimated family cost of your divorce, the time expenditure likely required and possible damage to your relationship with your children as you decide which method you will choose to move forward: divorce representation or divorce mediation.
Decisions you need to make will impact you and your entire family financially and emotionally. Make decisions wisely taking “all” into consideration, how your decisions to move forward will impact you, your spouse, your children in ways that involve among other things, time, money, head space, etc…
4. Consider the people you want to be involved with during this process, their personalities, ways of operating and goals for you.
Do you wish to get involved with attorneys, judges, court clerks, battling experts? Are you aware of the number of court dates, formal exchange of documents, hiring of experts that may be necessary if you litigate? Are you looking for a fair resolution or a win-lose end to it?
A fair resolution can be met if the parties are looking for that and are willing to Mediate. A fair resolution may also be achieved through litigation, however please know it will take a lot longer and burn up a lot more of your money.
5. Consider your life 1 year, 3 years, 8 years down the line.
Are you seeing a better situation for all of you as a result of the method used to finalize your divorce or do you see continued battling, bitterness, and blame?
Try to think down the line and consider how your situation (your life) will be when all this is said and done.
Considering and comparing the options by which to move through divorce is a smart way to operate no matter which option you choose.
Click on the following link to see a comparison of the different options you have as to how you will get divorced: /compare-divorce-solutions-chart
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