Out of all the words that could be used to describe a marital breakup, easy is not one of them. Divorce is often one of the most difficult life events any person can go through. However, ending a marriage does not have to be a contentious, conflict-filled process. Mediation and collaborative divorce are two options that can keep matters out of court and bring a more amicable resolution to a Florida divorce.
Collaborative divorce
In a collaborative divorce, both spouses and their attorneys work together, or collaborate, to reach a resolution. Each spouse must have their own attorneys in a collaborative divorce. During the process, spouses and attorneys go through a series of four-way meetings where attorneys help the spouses negotiate and reach agreements on the terms of their divorce.
Mediation
In mediation, divorcing spouses meet with a neutral, third-party mediator who helps them reach an amicable resolution to their divorce. Mediation is like collaborative divorce in that both parties cooperate and work together to reach a resolution. However, with mediation, the couple can work with the same mediator instead of each spouse having their own separate attorneys.
Getting help with divorce
A primary benefit to both mediation and collaborative divorce is that they enable the couple to keep their divorce out of court, thus saving both parties much time and money. Any person in Florida who may be headed for divorce and has questions about their options could get much-needed guidance by speaking with an experienced legal professional. A knowledgeable and compassionate family law attorney can help individuals determine the best path forward relative to their specific situation.