When a marriage ends, most people envision spouses at odds with each other amid a lengthy court trial. However, divorce does not have to be this contentious or difficult. Couples in Florida who are divorcing may want to explore mediation or collaborative divorce to settle all material issues outside of court.
Mediation
Mediation is a great alternative way to resolve a divorce and is often faster and far less stressful than going to court. With mediation, the divorcing spouses meet and work with a neutral third-party mediator who helps the couple reach agreements on the terms surrounding their divorce. Once both parties reach an agreement on the divorce resolution, the mediator will draft a written agreement that details the agreed-upon terms of the divorce.
Collaborative divorce
Collaborative divorce is another option for divorcing spouses who want to avoid a lengthy court trial. One difference between collaborative divorce and mediation is that with collaborative divorce, both parties typically have their own attorneys with them in proceedings, as opposed to mediation which uses a mediator. In a collaborative divorce, the focus is on all parties — including the attorneys and other professionals, as needed – to work together to come to an agreement that is fair to the parties. Each spouse can also meet separately with his or her own attorney to discuss important matters.
When spouses decide to end their marriage, they have several options when it comes to resolving their divorce. Although mediation and collaborative divorce are different processes, both options can be beneficial. Luckily, there is help available for spouses in Florida who have decided to go their separate ways. An experienced and skilled legal professional can assist a client in pursuing the best possible outcome while keeping conflict and stress to a minimum.