The Advantages Of Collaborative Divorce In Florida
Are you preparing to end your marriage in Tampa, Hillsborough County, or elsewhere in the region? You may have heard horror stories of divorces gone wrong. The good news is that a divorce does not have to be a nasty, difficult fight. Many people are able to reach amicable solutions—even in tough cases. Florida’s collaborative divorce process can be especially effective. Here, our Tampa family lawyer explains why collaborative divorce can be such an advantageous process in Florida.
Collaborative Divorce is Non-Adversarial
One of the primary advantages of a collaborative divorce in Florida is that it is a fundamentally non-adversarial process. Although divorce is often associated with conflict, it does not have to be a fierce battle. In Florida, the collaborative divorce process is designed to be a respectful, non-adversarial process where both spouses work together to reach a fair resolution. Instead of engaging in heated courtroom disputes, you and your spouse—alongside your collaborative law attorneys—commit to open communication and problem-solving.
Collaborative Divorce is Strictly Confidential
Under Florida Statutes § 61.57, all collaborative divorce proceedings are strictly confidential. As part of the collaborative divorce participation agreement that you must sign to enter the process, you—and your spouse and both of your lawyers—must agree to preserve confidentiality. Indeed, the discussions, negotiations, and any agreement will take place in fully private meetings. It is designed that personal matters remain just that—personal. Confidentiality is a benefit.
Collaborative Divorce Allows You to Share Experts
In a traditional divorce, each party often hires separate experts, which can lead to conflicting opinions and rising costs. In a collaborative divorce, you and your spouse can work with shared neutral professionals—such as financial experts, child specialists, or therapists—who are there to help both of you reach fair and informed decisions. The cooperative approach reduces the adversarial nature of expert testimony. Beyond that, it is also a more cost-effective option. You and your spouse can split the cost of independent experts instead of each hiring your own.
Collaborative Divorce is Less Likely End Up in Court
One of the biggest fears in any divorce is the possibility of a drawn-out court battle. The collaborative process is structured to avoid litigation, focusing instead on negotiation and mutual agreement. Both spouses sign a participation agreement that commits them to resolve their issues outside of court. While either spouse can withdraw from the process, their attorney must also withdraw. There is a very strong incentive for spouses to enter collaborative negotiations for divorce to avoid litigation. That can save time, money, stress, and headaches.
Contact Our Tampa, FL Family Lawyer for Help With a Collaborative Divorce
At Faulkner Law Group, PLLC, our Tampa family attorney has the skills and experience to handle collaborative law proceedings. Have any questions about collaborative divorce? We are ready to help. Give us a call now or contact us online for a fully confidential consultation. From our Tampa office, we provide family law representation all across the surrounding region.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.57.html
