OPTIONS FOR THE DIVORCE PROCESS

For most people, divorce is not only emotionally traumatic but frightening as well.  Many people are unfamiliar with the divorce process and the options available to them and are concerned about not only the emotional impact upon themselves and their children but their financial resources as well.  The most common question asked by those facing a divorce concerns the cost and how to minimize the financial burden.  The self-help and on line methods often do not provide enough information and assistance.  The following are a few options for professional legal assistance with divorce.

Unbundled Legal Assistance: The client has the option of seeking assistance for some portions of the divorce and uses the services of an attorney on an "as needed" basis.

Mediation: A single neutral person acts as a mediator for the couple.  A mediator cannot provide legal advice but instead helps the couple reach an agreement. Parties may choose presuit mediation, with or without lawyers.

Conventional representation: Each party hires a lawyer and proceeds through a series of filing pleadings, serving discovery and taking depositions. Cases handled this way generally involve higher legal fees and take longer to complete.

Collaborative law: Each person retains his or her own trained collaborative lawyer to advise and assist in negotiating agreement on all issues. 

"War" This is often referred to as a bitter, messy or contested divorce.  This is the costliest form of dispute resolution, emotionally and financially and it is always destructive for the children involved.  Such cases can drag on for many years and few client report satisfaction with the outcome, regardless of who "won".

Helpful divorce links:

• Dade County Clerk of Court
• Broward County Clerk of Court
• Palm Beach County Clerk of Court
• Divorcenet- One of the leading websites for information on divorce.
• Divorce Articles- Articles on divorce, parenting and other resources.
• Child centered divorce- resources for helping children cope with the divorce process.