When you choose to work with a divorce attorney, you get a divorce law expert in your corner. Unlike a mediator, your lawyer will work for you, rather than you and your spouse.
When it comes to the divorce process, everyone has a different idea of what it entails. For some, that means a civil mediation. For others, they picture a long and frustrating courtroom experience. The reality is that there are a variety of methods people use when getting a divorce. We discuss the 5 most common of them below. If you are considering a divorce and do not know which option to choose, contact The Betz Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Do It Yourself
If you choose this option, you will only deal with your spouse through the entire process. That means taking stock of assets, negotiating on how to split those assets, calculating child support, and much more. Though this method can work for couples with a high level of trust between them, it is almost always a bad idea. Not only can you make a mistake when working without lawyers, but one spouse might take advantage of the other.
Through the Internet
Getting an internet divorce is another variant of a “do it yourself” divorce, but in this case, you use online software to help you. What this usually entails is both parties answering a questionnaire and the software proposing a set of standard terms based on their responses. Once both people agree, they can print out the needed documents and sign them. Though this method is a bit smarter than doing it entirely by yourself, it is still risky.
Mediation
Mediation is a process in which there are no lawyers involved, but you employ a third party to assist you and your spouse. What this mediator does is educate you on divorce conventions, make a checklist of everything you need to resolve, help you settle disagreements, and draft certain documents once your terms are determined. The primary advantage of choosing this method is having a trained professional assist you through your divorce. Unfortunately, mediators have limited capabilities, and your specific case may be too complicated for them.
With Lawyers
When you choose to work with a divorce attorney, you get a divorce law expert in your corner. Unlike a mediator, your lawyer will work for you, rather than you and your spouse. They will discuss your goals with you, talk over your options, negotiate with your spouse, and carry out all of the legal requirements for a divorce. This method is the one that people choose in the vast majority of cases because it is safe and effective.
Collaborative
Sometimes, a lawyer isn’t enough. Instead, you must enlist a team of professionals to help you through your divorce. This is called a collaborative divorce. What that usually looks like is you, your spouse, both of your lawyers, and a trained mediator all trying to come to an agreement. If needed, you can involve other specialists such as an accountant or family counselor.