When someone approaches divorce, they may immediately picture themselves in a court setting with their divorce attorney by their side, the judge in front of them, expensive fees being taken out of their bank account, and a difficult spouse on the other side of the room. This picture is what we see in movies, and while some aspects of it can occasionally be true in some cases, it is not the norm.
There are options when it comes to the divorce process, and finding which option best suits a divorcing couple greatly depends on the situation, the relationship between the spouses, and what circumstances are at hand. Before deciding on a process, we recommend consulting with an experienced divorce attorney who is well-versed in many different divorce processes so they can give the divorcing individual an expert opinion on which process may work best for the situation. If you find yourself in this situation, we outlined the most popular divorce processes below to help give you an idea of what may work best for you:
Divorce Litigation
Divorce litigation is the traditional approach to the divorce process. With this type of divorce, the couple would take their divorce case to a family court in order to resolve issues that each party cannot agree upon. In this type of divorce, everything is documented and the final decisions for you, your spouse, and ultimately, your family, are made by the court. Divorce litigation can take more time and be more expensive than the other options below.
Collaborative Divorce
In the collaborative setting, you and your spouse are part of a team, including a financial expert, experienced lawyers, and other professionals to assist with challenges that many families encounter such as economics, support, custody, communication, and parenting issues. Together, the team members, including the parties, attempt to craft a resolution to your domestic relations dilemmas. Learn more about collaborative divorce with these top collaborative divorce Q&As.
Divorce Mediation
This type of divorce process involves a divorce mediator who provides the divorcing couple with their basic legal rights and obligations in a kind, efficient manner so the couple can make informed decisions on trying to reach an acceptable resolution. The mediator is usually someone who is more of an educator and facilitator versus an advocate for one of the parties. Learn more about divorce mediation with these top divorce mediation Q&As.
RELATED: Read these tips to consider when planning a divorce.
If you are faced with a divorce, it may be reassuring to know that there are options when it comes to the divorce process. If you would like to learn more about your divorce options, contact our experienced divorce attorneys at Wilder Mahood McKinley & Oglesby online or by calling us at 412-261-4040.
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