Peaceable Divorce Court Alternatives
A divorce doesn’t have to be an all-out war. If a courtroom conflict doesn’t appeal to you, there are other avenues to complete your divorce that can be easier on your emotions— and your checkbook.
They can also be far quicker than going to court, which translates into less expense and less prolonged grief. Most important, they keep the decisions on important issues—such as the house—in your hands. In court, divorcing parties surrender much of their power. The court has authority to make decisions that will be binding on you and your ex. And after spending a lot of time, money, and effort, you may not like the way things turn out.
The easiest solution is to have an uncontested divorce, which is the route most divorcing people choose. One party draws up a divorce petition—preferably with an attorney’s help—and the other simply agrees. This may not be feasible when there are substantial assets or other issues involved that require deeper scrutiny and negotiation. And if one spouse is abusive or uncooperative, it may be impossible. But even when serious negotiations are unavoidable, there are ways to work out the thorny issues in a non-adversarial way—if both parties are willing.
Mediation is a good way to go and can save time, money and most likely heartache. To find out more, visit this story.
About Laurel Starks
