Depending on the type of relationship you have with your ex-spouse, going through a divorce can be a lengthy and costly process. Your divorce could be the complete opposite if you have a good-standing relationship with your spouse.
Substitutes to divorce court
In addition to avoiding a time-consuming divorce proceeding, there are countless advantages to settling out of court. Some divorce options to explore include:
- Professional mediation: If you believe that you and your spouse can find middle ground, then looking into mediation services could be beneficial. Choosing this option will most likely speed up the divorce and allow you to keep personal matters private. The final cost to you will also be much lower than going to court.
- Collaboration: This alternative is similar to mediation, except that each party will have a lawyer present. There could also be financial advisors and other relevant professionals involved. If you both can agree on important issues, then you will sign a separation agreement to signify the end of your marriage.
- Lawsuits: When collaboration or mediation do not seem like plausible options, filing a lawsuit could be the answer. However, this does not mean that you will have to go to court. In fact, 90 percent of divorce lawsuits are settled out of court. Your attorney can negotiate and ideally come to a fair outcome for each of you.
Deciding which direction to take can be difficult if you do not have a family law background. Working with an attorney can take some of the pressure off your shoulders.