Collaborative Divorce Lawyer | Representing Clients Throughout Connecticut

If you’re looking to get a divorce but wish to avoid going through the process in a courtroom setting, you should strongly consider speaking with a seasoned Fairfield County family lawyer who can effectively walk you through the collaborative divorce process. Our firm has extensive experience handling collaborative divorces and recognizes that this mode of divorce is often preferable to litigated divorce, for several reasons. Speak with us today so we can get started.

What Does a Collaborative Divorce Lawyer Do?

A collaborative divorce lawyer is a specially trained lawyer who helps couples divorce outside of court. They work with both spouses to develop a settlement plan that meets everyone's needs. Collaborative law attorneys are also trained in conflict resolution and communication skills, which can help to reduce tension and create a more positive environment for negotiation.

A collaborative divorce lawyer handles all of the same aspects of a divorce, other than appearing in court matters and engaging in damaging posturing during the divorce process. For example, they:

Meet with their client to discuss their goals and priorities for the divorce;
Help their client to gather and organize financial and other relevant information; and
Draft and review settlement agreements

Benefits of Collaborative Law

Collaborative law is a voluntary divorce process in which couples work together with their collaborative law attorneys in Connecticut to reach a mutually agreeable settlement outside of court. It is a relatively new approach to divorce, but it is quickly gaining popularity in Connecticut and across the country.

There are many benefits to choosing collaborative law over traditional litigation, including:

Lower costs: Collaborative law is typically less expensive than litigation because it avoids the need for costly court battles, and is designed to reduce acrimony and waste. This can save couples tens, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Reduced stress: Collaborative law can also be a less stressful experience than litigation. This is because collaborative law focuses on cooperation and communication rather than conflict. The spouses and their collaborative law attorneys in Connecticut work together as a team to develop a settlement plan that meets everyone’s needs. This can help to reduce the tension and anxiety that is often associated with divorce.
More control: Collaborative law also gives couples more control over the outcome of their divorce. In litigation, the judge makes decisions about child custody, child support, alimony, and property division. In collaborative law, the spouses and their collaborative law attorneys in Connecticut negotiate a settlement agreement that is tailored to their specific needs. This means that the spouses have more control, and employ much more creativity, over the outcome of their divorce.
Privacy: Collaborative law is also a confidential process. This means that the spouses' personal and financial information will not be made public. This can be important for couples who want to protect their privacy or who have concerns about the impact of a more public divorce process.

Collaborative law is a particularly good option for families with children in Connecticut. This is because collaborative law allows couples to develop a parenting plan that is tailored to their specific needs. The spouses and their collaborative law attorneys in Connecticut can work together to develop a plan that addresses the children's educational, emotional, and physical needs.

Collaborative law can also be a good option for couples who have complex financial situations. The spouses and their collaborative law attorneys often work together with financial experts to develop a settlement plan that is fair and equitable.

How Much Does the Collaborative Divorce Process Cost?

The cost of collaborative law in Connecticut varies depending on the complexity of the case, the experience of the attorneys involved, and the length of the negotiation process. However, in general, collaborative law is typically less expensive than traditional litigation. This is because collaborative law avoids the need for costly court battles and is designed to minimize the acrimony and waste associated with the same.

Couples with complex financial situations or child custody disputes may incur higher costs. Additionally, couples who are able to reach an agreement quickly and efficiently will typically pay less than couples who require a longer negotiation process. Here are some tips for reducing the cost of collaborative law:

Choose attorneys who are experienced in collaborative law and who have a good reputation for being efficient and cost-effective.
Be prepared to negotiate with your spouse in good faith. The more cooperative you are, the more likely you are to reach an agreement quickly, which will save you money on legal fees.
If you have complex financial issues, make sure there is a well-trained financial expert involved who can help sort through the complexities and guide the process effectively and efficiently.

When is Collaborative Law Not the Best Option for Divorce?

Collaborative law is a voluntary divorce process in which couples work together with their collaborative law attorneys to reach a mutually agreeable settlement outside of court. It is a relatively new approach to divorce, but it is quickly gaining popularity in Connecticut and across the country due to its many benefits, including lower costs, reduced stress, and more control over the outcome of the divorce.

However, collaborative law is not right for everyone. Here are some situations when collaborative law may not be well suited for a divorce:

Domestic violence: Collaborative law requires both spouses to be willing and able to communicate and negotiate in good faith. If there is a history of domestic violence or significant abuse in the relationship, it may not be safe or possible for the spouses to collaborate in this way.
Unrealistic expectations: If one or both spouses has unrealistic expectations about the outcome of the divorce, it may be difficult to reach an agreement through collaborative law. This is especially true if the spouses have widely different values or priorities.
Unwillingness to compromise: Collaborative law requires both spouses to be willing to compromise in order to reach an agreement. If one or both spouses are completely unwilling to compromise, collaborative law is not likely to be successful.

If you are considering collaborative law in Connecticut, we invite you to contact us to discuss whether it is the right option for you. We can help you to assess your specific situation and to determine if collaborative law is a good fit for your needs.

Contact The Law Offices of Eric R. Posmantier, LLC Today

If you think a collaborative divorce may be right for you, please don’t hesitate to contact a seasoned Fairfield County collaborative divorce lawyer from The Law Offices of Eric R. Posmantier, LLC today. We’ve successfully helped countless clients through the collaborative divorce process over the years, and we’re here to do the same for you as well.