Divorce Through Mediation and Collaboration

Although divorce is never easy, if you and your spouse are on good terms, you may want to consider divorce through mediation or collaboration. However, if you are unsure about what either of these types of divorce entail or which is better for you, please keep reading.

What is Divorce Through Mediation?

When you choose mediation for your divorce, you and your spouse are agreeing to sit down with a neutral third party, or mediator, to come to mutually agreeable terms for your divorce. This includes everything from division of assets and debts, time sharing, child support, and alimony. Although neither of you are required to hire a divorce attorney, many do to ensure that the paperwork is properly drawn up and filed.

How is Collaboration Different?

Although this process shares some similarities with mediation in that the parties meet together to come to a mutually agreeable end to the marriage, there are differences. For example, there is no mediator. Also, each party partners with a collaborative attorney who remains involved in the process.

What Are the Benefits of Divorce Through Mediation or Collaboration?

Perhaps one of the most obvious benefits is that all decisions are up to the parties going through the divorce. When you go to court and cannot agree on something, the judge decides. That may mean no one leaves happily. Other benefits include:

• Privacy – everything said in either mediation or collaboration stays out of public records
• Lower cost – divorce through mediation or collaboration may cost less than going to court or other methods
• Less trauma for children – conversations are private which allows each party to share appropriate details of the divorce with children when the timing is right

Wagstaff & Pitelis Can Help

Our family law team can help with your divorce through mediation or collaboration. Because the local court system now requires divorcing couples to attempt mediation or collaboration before appearing before a judge, we have plenty of experience. Whether that means preparing and submitting documents or going to collaboration with you, our lawyers are ready to help. Call Wagstaff & Pitelis today for your confidential consultation at (727) 584-8182 or fill out our contact form.