Collaborative Divorce
Popular culture’s picture of a divorce is of two people who despise each other and go out of their way to hurt each other. That’s often not the case. Frequently, marraige termination happens between two reasonable people who just don’t feel right being in a marriage anymore. This doesn’t have to be a messy affair if both parties are committed to a clean break. For such couples, there is collaborative divorce.
Chester County Collaborative Divorce Lawyer
At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our dedicated and highly-experienced divorce lawyers can represent you. While a collaborative divorce is amicable, the legal matters are complicated. Our team of experienced attorneys will work together, carefully and diligently reviewing all the issues surrounding your divorce, including many issues you may not have thought about. Our goal is to help you achieve closure during this difficult time and come out of it on the best possible footing.
Need advice or have questions on a collaborative divorce or what it may mean for you? Call (610) 692-8700 or send an online message for a free consultation so we can act as soon as possible. We are based in West Chester PA and serve clients throughout Chester County, Lancaster County and suburban Philadelphia including West Chester, Kennett Square, Oxford, Avondale, Landenberg, West Grove, Paoli, Malvern, Downingtown, Coatesville, Exton, Parkesburg, Berwyn and Devon. We have convenient meeting locations in Lancaster, Philadelphia, Plymouth Meeting, Kennett Square, Malvern, Springfield, King of Prussia, and Radnor. Our family lawyers serve those with immediate legal needs in Chester County, Montgomery County, Delaware County and Lancaster County.
Pennsylvania Collaborative Marriage Termination Information Center
Advantages of Pursuing a Collaborative Divorce
This process is sometimes called an amicable or friendly divorce. In it, the spouses, along with their lawyers, sit down and negotiate out a settlement with how they will divide their assets. They sign off, and the lawyer brings it to a judge. The judge signs off on the agreement, and the couple is divorced after the statutory time and their assets divided. There’s no need for a messy trial or even to attend a hearing.
When two people decide to terminate their marriage and give mutual consent, it paves the way for a no-fault divorce. However, the most difficult part of the process dividing up the family’s assets. Sometimes, couples that would otherwise have a smooth divorce hit an impasse when it comes to dividing the estate.
A collaborative process provides an amicable approach that avoids courtroom drama and still has many of the safeguards of litigation. You’ll be represented by a family law attorney who is dedicated to you and your interests who will be working on your behalf to resolve the situation with the best possible result. If the situation becomes too tense, you still have the option of bringing the matter to court.
How Does a Collaborative Divorce Work?
In this process, both parties decide for the collaborative approach. Each spouse then hires his or her own lawyer, and sign an agreement that they will not go to court.
Each lawyer is there to exclusively represent and advice his or her client. However, the lawyers are focused on finding a resolution. To encourage this, if the negotiations break down and the spouses decide to go to court, both lawyers are disqualified from continuing to represent them in resulting litigation.
During the negotiations, your lawyer will advise you on what your options are for getting the best result. If the matter were to go to court, the judge would review a variety of factors, listed in the law, in determining equitable distribution of the marital property. In an amicable divorce, during negotiations, the spouses are not bound by this law. That gives them the freedom for some give and take, and to work out a solution that works best for everyone.
When both spouses come to an agreement. They sign the agreement, and the lawyers will take the matter to a judge. The spouses will then be divorced 90 days after the divorce is finalized.
Working with an Attorney Experienced in Divorce Collaboration
When possible, a collaborative divorce is often the best option, with the least dramatic process and the fairest results. But it’s still a complicated process, and having an experienced hand can make a big difference. Our divorce lawyers in Chester County can help you. We proudly represent clients throughout West Chester, Downingtown, Coatesville, Devon, Lancaster, Lititz, Ephrata, Norristown, Villanova, King of Prussia, Media, and nearby areas. Call us today at (610) 692-8700 for a free consultation.