Grand Rapids Attorney Offering Collaborative Divorce Options
Divorce is difficult even under the best circumstances. Wouldn't it be great if you could settle your divorce without going through court proceedings?
Using a civilized approach, you could sit down together and work out important issues such as property division, spousal support, child custody and visitation, and child support. Then, you could present your agreement to a judge who could grant you a divorce decree.
Thanks to the concept of collaborative divorce which has blossomed over the last 10 years, you now have that option. In addition to negotiated settlement, divorcing couples can resolve the issues of divorce through mediation or the collaborative divorce process. These less adversarial options can make a real difference in both the process of your divorce and in its outcome.
Contact Kraayeveld Law Offices, P.C. in Grand Rapids for an appointment with experienced divorce lawyer Jim Kraayeveld. He has more than 16 years of experience handling divorce and family conflict using a variety of methods. He can help you determine if the options of divorce mediation or collaborative law are right for you and guide you through the process.
Why Collaborative Divorce?
The collaborative process eliminates the high cost and emotionally draining experience of a divorce trial. This process also affords much more privacy.
Because collaborative divorce is a negotiated process, you and your spouse stay in control. Unlike when you present your case to a judge for a decision, with the collaborative law process you determine the structure and contents of the agreement.
You and your divorcing spouse will each have an attorney to negotiate for you and protect your interests. Collaborative law is somewhat different from mediation. In a collaborative divorce, you and your divorcing spouse are each represented by attorneys and you reach an agreement before and without any court involvement. Additionally, you have access to various professionals, such as financial planners, counselors, and child custody experts who can guide you as you negotiate your agreement.
There are incentives to cooperate, because if you enter into collaborative divorce and are unable to reach an agreement, both of your attorneys are disqualified from representing you in the court system.
Learning How to Work Together
Even though you are getting a divorce, you and your spouse may have to continue to work together to make important parenting decisions. Unfortunately, a divorce trial can serve to exacerbate anger, resentments and other emotional issues. It can actually make working together harder.
Because it is a less adversarial process than a trial, collaborative divorce can reduce the tension instead of increase it. It can even have the benefit of teaching techniques that will make working together much easier in the long term.
If you need help from financial, mental health or child development specialists, they can be called in as needed to assist and advise. All the professionals on collaborative divorce teams receive special training in negotiation and conflict resolution.
Divorce Mediation
Divorce mediation is another option for resolving issues in your divorce without trial. It differs from collaborative divorce in that a mediator (not your divorce attorney) helps you and your spouse work together to craft an agreement that works for your entire family. Attorney Jim Kraayeveld is a court-certified mediator and can advise you on the legal issues involved in divorce and family mediation.
Mediation or collaborative divorce can help you and your divorcing spouse work together for the best interests of your children, now and in the future. Contact our law office