A Best Divorce Options is tailored specifically towards the large majority of couples who prefer to reach an agreement through discussion rather than conflict. As a result, it has the potential to be both faster and cheaper than traditional routes. Importantly, it can also be less stressful. Paperwork is kept to a minimum, meetings can be arranged at short notice with an agenda of your choice and the details of your case are discussed around a table with the couple and their specialist lawyers present.
A Best Divorce Options can be particularly valuable if you will be having continued contact with your former partner in the future because of children or shared business interests.
If non-lawyer experts are required, the process allows those experts to be brought into joint meetings to prepare paperwork which might help the process. The Best Divorce Options Group group has a network of professionals from other disciplines, such as financial advisers, accountants and pension experts who are on hand to help throughout the Collaborative law process, if required.
Click here to view our recommended associated professionals.
Is it the best choice for me?
A Best Divorce Options is not for everyone but it is worth considering if some of the following is important for you.
- You want a dignified non-aggressive resolution of the issues.
- You and your partner have children and wish to reach a resolution by agreement with their needs and interests at the forefront.
- You do not wish to incur the costs and animosity generated by court litigation.
- You would like to keep open the possibility of friendship or at least a working relationship with your partner in the future.
- You and your partner have extended family and a number of friends to whom you would both wish to remain in contact in the future.
- You value retaining control over decisions about restructuring your financial arrangements or arrangements in relation to the children but with advice from experts.
- You do not wish to “hand over” such decision making to either your lawyer or to a complete stranger (a judge).
- Your main aim in the process is not to “seek revenge” on your partner.
- You need the assistance of a lawyer to help you negotiate in face to face meetings.
What are the other options?
Mediation
- One neutral Mediator per separating couple who gives no legal advice
- Generally meetings with mediator and both parties together
- Mediator assists both parties to understand family law and process, consider practical issues and find workable, agreed solutions
Mediation is all about finding common ground. A family mediator will help you find a solution which works for you both and explain how you can make an agreement legally binding. In most cases couples can reach an agreement through mediation without a Court Judge needing to do this for them. Unlike going to Court, mediation can help you stay in control of decisions that get made.
A mediator can give you legal information but not give you legal advice so as well as using a mediator, you may need to appoint a solicitor. Mediation is not suitable for everyone. The first meeting is usually a Mediation Information & Assessment meeting (M.I.A.M) and will find out if mediation is right for you and how much it will cost.
Litigation
When a couple wants to get a divorce and cannot agree on the terms of the financial settlement they will need to go to Court. When going to Court the Judge will make the decisions. You will need to stick to these decisions even if one or both of you feel unhappy about them.
Court proceedings can be time consuming and expensive and should be used as a last resort. However, going to Court may be needed if your spouse is not giving you all the financial information, there is (or threat of) domestic violence or there is a chance of proceedings being issued in another country.
What should you do next?
Please click on The Best People section for the contact details of individual group members – they will be able to discuss your individual circumstances and discuss which divorce option is right for you.
