How To Prepare For Your Collaborative Divorce
If you and your spouse have decided to get divorced through the collaborative divorce process, it is crucial that you prepare well in advance so the process can go smoothly. The collaborative divorce process is less adversarial than litigation. Also, with a collaborative divorce, spouses have greater control over the process. In a collaborative divorce, you, your spouse, and your respective attorneys will reach a settlement agreement without the court’s intervention. So instead of having the court decide on matters such as property division, you and your spouse can work together to determine a settlement that benefits you both.
So, how can you prepare for your collaborative divorce? The following are some of the ways to prepare for your collaborative divorce.
Talk About Your Goals With Your Soon-to-Be Ex
Even though you and your spouse have agreed to get a collaborative divorce, you may have different goals. So it is crucial that you talk to your soon-to-be ex about your goals and you allow them to tell you about theirs. It is vital that you discuss your goals so you can see which can be met and which will need negotiation.
When talking with your spouse about goals, it is crucial to keep in mind that it might be impossible to have all your goals met. It is vital that you be willing to compromise if you want the collaborative process to succeed.
Take Inventory of Your Assets and Debts
With a collaborative divorce, you and your soon-to-be ex are in charge of splitting your assets and debts. So you need to take inventory of your marital assets and debts before the process begins. Among other things, collect bank statements, insurance policies, vehicle registrations, retirement accounts, car loans, and house papers, including the mortgage.
Hire a Qualified Collaborative Divorce Attorney Who Is the Right Fit for You
Another crucial step you need to take when preparing for your collaborative divorce is hiring a collaborative divorce attorney. This might seem like an obvious step since, in the collaborative divorce process, each spouse is required to have a divorce attorney. However, it is not enough to hire just any attorney. You should hire a qualified collaborative divorce attorney who fits you best.
You can ask family, friends, co-workers, or other associates for recommendations. Even if someone does not know a collaborative attorney, they may know another attorney who can give reliable recommendations. You can also check online reviews to find a qualified collaborative divorce attorney who fits your situation best.
Hire Other Professionals
In addition to hiring an attorney, you will need other professionals to help you through the collaborative divorce process. Other professionals that make up the collaborative team include financial professionals and child specialists. A financial professional can help with, among other things, evaluating assets and debts and providing guidance on financial planning and budgeting. On the other hand, a child specialist can help teach you how to parent through the divorce crisis and create a structure for co-parenting into the future.
Contact an Orlando Collaborative Divorce Lawyer
Our skilled and dedicated Orlando collaborative divorce lawyers at Arwani Law Firm are here to help you through the collaborative divorce process. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.