Despite the fact that divorce rates have been dropping over the last 30 years, recent statistics show that there are still 872,000 divorces in the United States annually. 74% of divorced women have not finished college, but that does not prove correlation. Causes for divorce vary depending on each individual case, but one thing is certain; if not handled properly a divorce can quickly turn from a painful process of separation into one that is filled with hatred, anger, and public embarrassment. For this reason, answering “what is collaborative law” is in the interest of all Americans who simply want to start life anew.
What is Collaborative Law?
Collaborative law, often referred to as collaborative family law, is defined by the State of New York to be a “problem-solving process” that is meant to end a marriage without the stress, delay, and financial burden of going to court. Although lawyers for both parties are looking to represent their clients to the best of their ability, the collaborative law process is about quick, amicable endings for both sides. 95% of divorces in the U.S. are uncontested. This means both parties are able to reach an agreement about property, children, and support issues, often with the help of collaborative lawyers.
Why You Should Consider Collaborative Law
- For the Sake of Your Children
- For Your Own Sake
For most people asking “what is collaborative law”, one of the biggest benefits of collaborative law divorce is the fact that it avoids what could become a messy, public affair. By deciding to go through collaborative divorce lawyers, clients on both sides can keep themselves out of the public eye. This ability is never more important than when children are involved who can easily see the proceedings of a divorce case, now or in the future.
As previously mentioned, divorces that go through to litigation are known to quickly degrade into length bouts of incivility. This, naturally, takes a physical, mental, and emotional toll on both parties. By finding a good divorce lawyer specializing in collaborative law, you can spare yourself the lengthy, contentious, and public experience of litigation.
How to Find Collaborative Family Divorce Lawyers
According to NOLO, there are three main ways to find a quality lawyer dealing with collaborative family law. First, you can rely on the recommendations of friends and family who have gone through a divorce. Secondly, many states maintain a directory for different legal services for their citizens. Divorce is a matter for the state, not the federal government in the U.S.. Lastly, you can find great lawyers by doing your research online. Plugging “what is collaborative law” into a search engine will not be enough, however. By using quality law websites, like NOLO and Lawyers.com, you can find what you are looking for.
Divorce is an unfortunately prevalent part of American society. It is lengthy, painful, and can be expensive. However, by using lawyers skilled in collaborative law, you can help alleviate all of these issues.
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