Hurst Collaborative Divorce Attorney
If you are preparing to get divorced, it is critical to know that you have different options for the roadmap of your case. Not every divorce case is highly contentious, requiring multiple court hearings to resolve matters. One option that can be beneficial for spouses who are willing to work together is referred to as collaborative divorce. To learn more about this process and whether it might be right for you, contact a Tarrant County collaborative divorce lawyer at Hoppes Law Firm, PLLC directly.
What is Collaborative Divorce?
Collaborative divorce does not simply mean that you and your spouse collaborate and compromise to agree on issues. Instead, it is a specific process of divorce that has certain requirements and benefits.
Each spouse should hire their own attorney who has experience with the collaborative divorce process. All four parties - the spouses and their lawyers - must sign a contract stating they will work to agree on all relevant issues and avoid court intervention.
The attorneys can enlist the help of experts to assist with the collaborative process, including but not limited to:
- Financial experts
- Social workers
- Occupational experts
- Child psychologists
With the help of this team, the spouses will try to reach agreements on how to resolve all relevant issues in their divorce, which can include:
- Child conservatorship
- Division of community property
- Alimony (spousal support)
- Child support
If agreements are reached, the attorneys can draft the settlement agreement to present to the court for approval.
Benefits of Collaborative Divorce
Why should you and your spouse consider collaborative divorce? Your attorney can advise you about how this process can benefit your specific situation, but the following are some examples of how the process can be beneficial:
- You can save the time, stress, and money required to bring issues to trial before a family judge
- The process is private and confidential, unlike most court judgments
- The collaborative process centers around the goals and best interests of both spouses and their children
- The process is customizable, and your attorneys can get creative and find problem-solving solutions based on your individual circumstances
- Your meetings and sessions can be set around your schedule, making it more convenient
The Collaborative Divorce Roadmap
While each collaborative divorce case is unique and should be approached as such, the general roadmap of a collaborative divorce case is as follows:
- Examining and understanding the concerns and goals of each spouse
- Addressing necessary interim issues
- Gathering all relevant information on which to base decisions
- Determining the value of all community property, which might require the assistance of a neutral appraiser
- Creating the parenting plan for children issues, which might require the assistance of a neutral parenting facilitator
- Problem-solving and negotiations
- Finalizing an agreement that both spouse’s sign
Your attorney can advise you on a more detailed schedule of what to expect.
Contact a Tarrant County Collaborative Divorce Attorney Today
At Hoppes Law Firm, PLLC, we have seen firsthand how collaborative divorce can help divorcing spouses. The right lawyer can help you achieve your goals through this process, so you can face your post-divorce life in the best position possible. Call 817-283-3999 or contact us online today.