Collaborative Divorce vs. Traditional Divorce

If you’re contemplating a divorce, one of the first things you’ll need to decide is which approach you’d like to take. Traditionally, divorce involved extensive, adversarial litigation. While many couples still take that route, an alternative known as “collaborative divorce” has become increasingly popular in recent years. True to its name, collaborative divorce involves voluntarily collaborating with your spouse and your respective attorneys to reach a win-win agreement outside of the traditional courtroom setting.

The Benefits of Collaborative Divorce

One of the main advantages offered by collaborative divorce is that it’s generally less hostile than traditional divorce. During a traditional divorce, the spouses tend to take opposing positions that advance only their own interests. This can be an extremely stressful experience and one that takes an emotional toll on the entire family. During a collaborative divorce, on the other hand, the spouses work together to address problems and come up with solutions that will benefit everyone involved. Spouses tend to treat each other more fairly and respectfully in the interest of producing a mutually beneficial outcome.

What’s more, collaborative divorce is typically less expensive than traditional divorce. Highly contested divorces can sometimes take years to be finalized, and a trial can require extensive court costs and expert fees. Collaborative divorce often takes significantly less time than traditional divorce. Plus, because collaborative negotiation sessions can be arranged around everyone’s schedules, the spouses will likely miss less work and have to spend less money on childcare. Avoiding the high costs of traditional divorce can help you preserve resources for yourself and for your children, if you have any.

Experienced Divorce Attorneys in the Tampa Bay Area

If you’re in need of a divorce attorney, you can turn to the Law Offices of Audrey A. Jefferis, P.A. Our family law attorneys excel at the collaborative divorce process and can use their creative problem-solving skills to help you reach a mutually agreeable settlement. If you’d prefer to follow the more traditional approach to divorce, we can also aggressively litigate your case in the courtroom. Contact us today to arrange a consultation—we can meet with you at our main office in New Port Richey or at our satellite office in Palm Harbor.