The goal of any firm is to make divorce (or ending other long-term relationships) as simple and painless as possible so clients can move on with their lives. The divorce process requires considering a number of factors including division of assets, spousal support and child custody and support.
Division of Assets
Dividing the property of spouses during divorce can be quite difficult depending on how significant the assets are. These assets can include houses, rental property, retirement and pension plans, stock accounts, businesses, and more. If your divorce is contentious, then this can be especially complicated.
Reaching a negotiated settlement speeds the divorce process dramatically, and can save you money in legal fees. Moreover, in cases where you can’t come to an agreement, the court is going to use its judgment to impose a plan that is as fair as possible.
There are also state laws to consider as well as the difference between separate and marital property. In general, Separate Property includes any property that was owned by either spouse prior to the marriage; an inheritance received by the husband or wife (either before or after the marriage); and gifts received by the husband or wife from someone else.
On the other hand, property acquired during the marriage is usually considered Marital Property regardless of which spouse owns or has title to the property. State laws vary greatly in how Marital Property is treated (especially between Community Property & Equitable Distribution States), so consulting a qualified attorney is critical.
Other Methods of Resolving Conflicts at Divorce
There are ways to resolve divorce conflicts outside of the courts. There are three basic methods including negotiation, mediation, and new approach known as collaborative divorce.
Put simply, negotiation involves the parties working through a dispute until it is resolved. While divorcing spouses can do this on their own, lawyers can and do play a role in these negotiations.
Mediation, on the other hand, is a form of negotiation that involves a neutral party known as a mediator. However, a mediator is not a judge or an arbitrator and does not make decisions or issue rulings. But the mediator works with both spouses to resolve legal disputes, communicate more effectively and ultimately reach an agreement.
Finally, in a collaborative divorce, each party has an attorney that assists in the negotiation by acting as advocates for their clients. Both spouses and both attorneys must agree in writing that they will not take the case to court and will settle it instead.In the end, a collaborative divorce will only work when all the parties agree to not have a referee or judge manage the divorce.
The Bottom Line
Divorce is not something most couples plan on, but the statistics for long lasting marriages say otherwise. In the case of a divorce, the issues are complex; and even more so by the emotions involved. In the end, a successful divorce is one that can be handled amicably, and this requires attorneys with the expertise and compassion to make it happen.