It is common for couples to seek alternatives to traditional litigation-based divorce. Spouses who want to end their marriage peacefully and sensibly often choose collaborative divorce, a powerful alternative to traditional divorce litigation. It involves a team of specialized professionals that each help in their small area of expertise. This allows for more effective education and guidance in all areas of the divorce process in a way that is more efficient and effective than is available in divorce litigation. The team works to guide the parties through the separation and educate the parties about how life will be different after divorce.
Collaborative law uses a team-based approach allowing you, your lawyer, your spouse, and their attorney to work together toward the same objective: a fair, cost-effective, and non adversarial agreement. You have the opportunity to reach an amicable divorce that promotes respect and discourages wasting marital assets on excessive legal fees. This makes the divorce process considerably emotionally easier on all parties, including children.
The collaborative process also frequently brings in other professionals in a way that traditional divorce litigation does not handle well. Instead of having attorneys argue about the most cost-efficient way to divide assets, a neutral third-party financial specialist can be brought in to help look at complicated assets like pensions or investments. This person is a trained expert in finances (where most attorneys are not), and can provide unbiased information to help divide property in the way that makes the most sense. Other professionals – like child specialists or psychologists – can also be brought in to do work that attorneys normally do in a litigation setting, but they will do it with greater expertise and at a lower rate than attorneys charge. This can result in a lower overall cost for the divorce with better results.
As you seek a peaceful, reasonable way to resolve your Wisconsin divorce, you may realize that a do-it-yourself divorce is unrealistic. Your marital estate may be too complex and you may be unsure how to approach child custody and support. At the same time, you have no desire to put yourselves through the aggressive process of traditional divorce litigation. Collaborative divorce may be the solution you are looking for. Attorney William D. Block, an experienced family law attorney who serves on the board of the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin, can help you with the decisions about your first steps.
Through the collaborative law process, you will work together as a team to reach a settlement agreement out of court. If there are children, you will likewise agree to a co-parenting plan through a teamwork approach. You may consult with a child psychologist or an economist who will advise both of you together. The process differs from the fighting spirit of a courtroom battle before a judge. Private family matters will remain private. The divorcing spouses will retain control over the process, rather than giving that privilege over to an impersonal court system.
Many couples who have gone through a collaborative divorce have expressed gratitude for the respectful way in which they brought their marriages to peaceful, family-oriented conclusions. They surmounted legal challenges as a team rather than in opposition to each other. When there are children, the benefits of communicating civilly with the other parent can transform the experience of co-parenting over many years. Even though the marriage is ending, parents will always be parents. The collaborative divorce process can help create a functioning framework for the co-parenting relationship so that divorced parents can work together as needed in the years to come.
Need More Information About Divorce Options?
The most important thing to understand in family law matters is that you do have options. Divorce is not a one-size-fits-all process. Call me at 414-930-4478 or send me an email today.