Divorce doesn’t have to be a battle. Even though you and your spouse have decided to end your marriage, you have a choice about how you want to proceed through the divorce process. One option, of course, is to engage in all-out warfare. That’s expensive and time-consuming, and takes an emotional toll as well. Fortunately, there are other options.
Divorce mediation, collaborative divorce, and arbitration or private judging are all ways that you can stay out of divorce court. With mediation and collaboration, you’ll work together with your spouse to come to an agreement that works for both of you and for your kids, if you have them. A divorce mediator is a neutral professional who sits down with both of you (and your attorneys if you have them) to help you craft a settlement that resolves all the issues in your divorce—property, support, and child custody and visitation. In a collaborative process, you and your spouse both have attorneys, but you all agree not to go to court but instead to work toward a settlement in a series of four-way meetings. If you aren’t able to reach an agreement on your own, you can use arbitration or private judging to hire a private attorney or judge to listen to both sides and make decisions for you.
All of these scenarios keep your divorce private, and all of them allow you to complete the divorce much faster than you would if you asked a court to make decisions for you after a trial. Mediation and collaboration also have the advantage of being much less expensive than going to court, and all of these alternatives to court protect your privacy.
As an added benefit of mediation or collaboration, you’re likely to come out with an agreement you can live with, and, if you have children, you will have built the foundation for a productive ongoing relationship with their other parent.
How to Divorce Without Going to Court
Divorce is often a drawn-out battle. But it doesn’t have to be. There are options available that can save you the anxiety and expense of endless court appearances. All you have to do is choose the one that’s right for you.
An Overview of Divorce Mediation
How divorce mediation works to make your divorce less expensive and more civilized.
How to Propose Mediation or Collaborative Divorce to Your Spouse
Want to try mediation or collaborative divorce, but not sure your spouse will go for it? Here's how to ask for the best chance of getting the answer you want.
How Long Does a Mediated Divorce Take?
Mediation is almost always faster than going through divorce court.
The Stages of Divorce Mediation
What does a mediation really look like? Here's an explanation of the stages of mediation.
Answers to Common Questions About Divorce Mediation
Here are three common questions and answers for divorcing couples considering divorce mediation.
An Overview of Collaborative Divorce
Learn how collaborative divorce can be the best of both worlds.
Mediation vs. Collaboration: Factors to Consider in Choosing the Right Approach for You
How to decide whether mediation or collaborative divorce is right for you.
How to Propose Mediation or Collaborative Divorce to Your Spouse
Want to try mediation or collaborative divorce, but not sure your spouse will go for it? Here's how to ask for the best chance of getting the answer you want.
Collaborative Law & Divorce FAQ
Find out how collaborative law works, and how collaborating lawyers can help ease the divorce process.
An arbitrator can make decisions in your divorce and keep you out of divorce court.
Can I Resolve My Divorce With Arbitration?
Arbitration has been a popular choice for resolving commercial disputes, for some time. And it’s now coming into its own in divorce cases as well. But there are pros and cons you need to be aware of before deciding to take this route.