The end of a marriage does not mean a couple has to battle out their divorce in a courtroom with a long, painful, and costly adversarial process. In some cases, a collaborative approach can make divorce less expensive and contentious. The collaborative approach is especially useful for couples who must retain some sort of relationship, parental or otherwise, after the divorce.
Michigan family law attorney Henry Bergmans can explain and guide you through a collaborative approach to marriage dissolution that focuses on building a new future for your family. Henry applies his negotiation and interpersonal skills to assist you in working with your spouse on the terms of your divorce in a collaborative setting. He provides professional and compassionate guidance throughout the process to help you get through your divorce with dignity.
In the collaborative process, a professional team advises and supports divorcing spouses in addressing legal and financial issues outside of the courtroom. Both spouses must agree to work together in a respectful and equitable manner. Each spouse has their own attorney. If the process succeeds, the spouses sign an agreement to settle their divorce out of court. The agreement is submitted to and reviewed by the court.
Over the course of several meetings, the spouses disclose and discuss issues related to their divorce. The attorneys advise and assist with the division of marital property, spousal support, child custody, and other legal matters. Other professionals may also contribute to the collaborative resolution of the divorce, such as financial planners, appraisers, divorce coaches, and child specialists. Ultimately, however, the spouses negotiate the terms of their settlement.
In the collaborative process, you and your spouse agree on the terms for ending your marriage, which reduces the anxiety and sometimes the financial costs of the divorce. The process is less intrusive if you and your spouse decide to work together collaboratively, rather than having a court decide the divorce terms.
If the collaborative process is appropriate for your circumstances, it may provide benefits that help to form a foundation for a better future for you and your family. The potential benefits include:
The end of a marriage is never easy, but through a collaborative approach, you and your spouse can choose to work together to come to a settlement that is ultimately less stressful and creates a better long-term environment for you and your family.
If you have questions about using the collaborative process in a Michigan divorce, contact Henry Bergmans for a free initial consultation by reaching out through the online contact form or calling at (810) 360-0900. From his office in Howell, Henry assists clients throughout Livingston County, Genesee County, Ingham County, and Washtenaw County, and in the surrounding areas.
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