Getting a Divorce?
If you are getting a divorce, you need a qualified, experienced family law attorney on your side. This is not the time to “do it yourself.” You need an attorney that represents you and your best interests. It is not a good idea to rely on your soon-to-be ex-spouse’s attorney to simply draft the required documents. You need to know what you are entitled to and what your obligations are. Divorces are complicated, including child custody, parenting time, child support payments, alimony, and other property division. Retirement benefits can be very complicated. A family law attorney represents your interests.
Divorce Can Lead to Protracted Litigation
Getting a divorce through the court system takes time. The more fighting involved, the longer a divorce takes. The battle also takes place in public, with a court reporter making a public record of it all. Litigation means the parties sit in an open courtroom while their attorneys argue over the intimate details of their lives.
Litigation is Emotionally and Financially Expensive
A court battle takes an emotional and financial toll. It involves uncertainty. A judge that does not know you will be making decisions that will impact the rest of your life. Family law attorneys charge by the hour and extended litigation is costly. As your case drags on, the meter is running. Uncertainty brings an emotional cost. What is going to happen? What will my finances look like when the divorce is over? What is going to happen to my children? Where will I live? All of these issues are up in the air during divorce litigation.
Mediation as an Alternative
Mediation is an alternative to expensive litigation. A mediator works with both parties to resolve issues in dispute. Mediation is not binding. The mediator looks for areas of compromise. The mediator works with both parties through their attorneys. A mediator works to find common ground between the parties. Parties may place issues in a different order of importance. For example, one party may want to maintain the family home and the other may prioritize retirement benefits. A mediator can bridge a gap of understanding. Even if the mediator cannot resolve all of the issues, every agreement reduces litigation and uncertainty. If the entire case can be resolved through mediation, parties will reduce attorney fees and bring certainty to the ultimate resolution.
If you are getting a divorce
If you are getting a divorce and want to be represented by a qualified, experienced family law attorney, contact us today.
