| A Friendly Divorce Alternative? |
The following article was written by Mark Schlueb of The Orlando Sentinel:
You’ve heard of happily married, but is it possible to have a happy divorce?
A
growing number of lawyers - including some who’ve spent careers
brawling in divorce court - say yes. They’re disciples of
“collaborative divorce,” which tries to bring civility and cooperation
to the traditionally bitter battle over the kids, family home and
Grandma’s silver.
Rather
than each spouse paying a pit-bull attorney to spar in court, they and
both attorneys agree to work out an amicable divorce that both sides
can be happy with. Along the way, they receive guidance from a neutral
mental-health professional and financial adviser.
Collaborative
law’s converts say it can be faster, less divisive and cheaper than a
traditional divorce. And because the parties may never step into a
courtroom until final paperwork is filed, it’s more private - probably
the reason celebrities such as Roy Disney and Robin Williams chose it.
“It’s
so much better for clients and their families. In my experience it
reduces the costs significantly, and the results are better,” Orlando
attorney Richard West said.
In
the collaborative process, husbands and wives have their own lawyers,
but they’re there to provide legal advice, not extract a pound of flesh
from the other side. The parties and the lawyers sign an agreement at
the outset to share all information.
The divorcing couple is
free to back out if talks fail, but then they have to get new lawyers.
That’s because the attorneys agree to drop out if the collaborative
process fails - a way to make sure they work hard to come up with a
fair agreement.
Click here to read the entire article written by Mr. Schlueb.
Should
you have any further questions regarding divorce law and/or
collaborative law in Pennsylvania, contact L. Anthony Bompiani, Esquire
at (724) 925-9600. |
Posted By L. Anthony Bompiani, Esquire on January 08, 2010 08:37 am | Permalink  |