The last thing many married couples in Maryland want when they are ending their unions is to fight things out in court. There are several alternatives to traditional divorce that can give these couples what they want. One of them is collaborative divorce.
What is it?
Collaborative divorce is where both spouses agree to negotiate the terms of their divorce without going to court. They do this by agreeing to meet in a neutral location and talk things out. The focus is on working together to come up with a settlement that is fair and comprehensive. They may each have legal counsel assisting them through the negotiation process. Sometimes a mediator is used.
The benefits
There are several benefits to collaborative divorce. The primary advantage is that it keeps a couple out of court. Others include:
- Time savings
- Money savings
- Informal setting
- Control
- Privacy
Collaborative divorce often results in settlement terms both parties are happy with because they each had a say rather than having a judge decide the terms. Having that control is priceless. Being able to keep the matter private, as well as save time and money in the process, also makes this form of marital dissolution worth it to many couples.
Think this is a good fit?
Maryland residents who think collaborative divorce might be a good fit for them can turn to a family law attorney with experience handling divorce in this manner — not all of them have such experience. With the right help in one’s corner, this form of marital dissolution can typically be worked through and used successfully, allowing both parties can walk away from their marriage satisfied with the final terms. If, for some reason, collaborative divorce does not work out as one would hope, taking the matter to court may still be possible.
