If you are considering a divorce in Florida but don’t want to deal with the time, effort, and cost of a trial, a collaborative divorce may be the best option for you. Collaborative divorces allow spouses to come to a mutually beneficial divorce agreement for both parties, and any involved children, without the emotions and expense of court.

Agree to collaborate

To begin the collaborative divorce process, both spouses should discuss the matter and come to an agreement that this is how they wish to handle the divorce. Once this is agreed upon, each spouse should hire an attorney experienced in collaborative divorce to represent their side.

Bare all

A cornerstone of the collaborative divorce process is transparency. Both spouses must disclose absolutely everything about their current social and economic situations in order to come to a divorce agreement that is equitable for all. This includes complete disclosure of all finances, accounts, investments, properties, and more.

Work out the issues

Once both sides are committed to a collaborative divorce, they will need to meet with the other spouse and their attorney several times to iron out all of the details. The most common issues discussed during these meetings include:

• Child custody
• Child visitation
• Property distribution
• Alimony

Stay grounded

Even during a collaborative divorce, emotions can run high. If the spouses don’t seem to be able to get along well enough to work out the important issues, other professionals may be brought in to encourage progress, including counselors and mediators. Keeping emotions in check during the collaborative divorce process is the only way for it to be successful.

Be realistic

Everyone wants a quick and painless divorce, but this isn’t always possible. When the divorcing spouses cannot agree on the major issues or compromise, a court trial may be their only option. Consult with an attorney to determine if a collaborative divorce is a realistic option for you, and if it is not, they can guide you toward an option that is a better fit for your situation.

Collaborative divorce in Tampa Bay

If you are considering a collaborative divorce here in Tampa Bay, only trust the professionals at Caveda Law Firm to help lead you to the best possible outcome. Even in divorces where both sides are amicable, we’ll fight hard to make sure you get everything to which you are entitled. Call us at (813) 463-0800 or contact us online to set up your divorce consultation appointment today.