Collaborative Divorce VS Traditional Divorce

Collaborative divorce is completely different from a traditional divorce, mainly in that collaborative divorce gives you and your spouse the freedom in working together to create a lasting divorce settlement without the need for court intervention. In contrast, a traditional divorce is often adversarial, overwhelming, intimidating and confusing. 

 

As a divorce lawyer, I have seen couples struggle through divorce, and know the benefits from the collaborative divorce method outweigh the process of traditional litigation, especially when couples can work together. Divorce is hard no matter the couple or the circumstances surrounding the dissolution of your marriage. But through collaborative divorce, there can be peaceful resolution.

 

In a collaborative divorce, each party, with the support of their collaborative divorce attorneys, a divorce coach and a financial neutral, take the time necessary to address the issues unique to their case and create lasting divorce settlement without the need for court intervention. This allows the decision-making control to stay within your control.

 

At the outset of the process, each spouse signs a participation agreement and agrees to openly and honestly share all relevant information necessary to address the financial and legal issues of their case. All negotiations are conducted in six-way meetings in order to create acceptable solutions and resolution to various aspects of the divorce including the division of assets/debts, a parenting plan for children and for future financial arrangements. Transparency and integrity are the key components to the process and professionalism by all team members is paramount.

 

In contrast, a contested divorce, also known as a traditional divorce, is typically imagined when couples think of the divorce process. In this process, one spouse files and serves the other spouse with divorce papers and is resolved in a court of law. In the traditional divorce process control over asset/debt division, the parenting plan, child custody and child support as well as alimony and future financial arrangements are all finalized by a judge who determines the outcomes in each of these areas. The financial cost of a traditional divorce is much more expensive than through the collaborative divorce method.

 

For nearly 30 years, The Hill Law Firm, P.C. has served couples in Overland Park, KS and throughout all of Johnson County, KS focusing extensively on family law. As a divorce lawyer, my primary job is to support you through the divorce process.  I have seen the good that can come from the collaborative divorce method. If you are thinking of divorce, contact me, Elizabeth Hill, today to schedule a consultation, or feel free to call me at  (913) 381-1500 with any questions you have regarding your divorce.