Whenever possible, Texas divorce lawyers suggest alternatives to standard litigation, which can be expensive and extremely stressful for all involved parties.
Two such alternatives frequently suggested are collaborative divorce and mediation.
Though both of these two divorce alternatives avoid going to court, collaborative divorce attorneys do point out they are different in how these methods are undertaken.
Either way, collaboration and divorce mediation both provide an easier and lower-stress option for many couples, especially those with children.
What Is Collaborative Divorce?
Collaborative divorce is one alternative in which spouses, along with their divorce lawyers, meet in a casual but private setting to openly discuss and negotiate the terms of the divorce in a group.
It is the most amicable of all methods and very popular when spouses are receptive to compromise and making decisions based on the greater good for each of them.
Collaborative divorce involves only the collaborative divorce attorneys who work with the spouses and does not require anyone going to court or meeting with a mediation professional.
What Is Divorce Mediation?
Mediation is another divorce alternative that, when successful, avoids the need to go to court; however, it is a little less casual than collaboration.
In mediation, each spouse with the assistance of their divorce lawyer, meets with a mediator who handles the task of relaying negotiation points back and forth between the two spouses.
Though it happens at the same time, the spouses and their divorce lawyers do not speak directly with each other, communicating only through the mediator.
Although it does include the added involvement and cost of a mediator, it is another means of achieving a more amicable resolution to the important negotiations that must take place before a divorce decree can be presented to the court for signing.
Alternative Divorce and Children
An interesting detail about divorce alternatives like collaboration and mediation is the positive way it affects families with children and how they are able to move forward after the divorce.
Divorce attorneys usually find that parents involved in successful collaboration or mediation are much more likely to achieve healthy co-parenting as well since they have the ability to decide collectively on what is best for their children.
This commonly leads to happier, healthier children who lead more productive lives, further supporting the preference for alternative divorce processes like collaboration or mediation.
Divorce Does Not Have To Be Traumatic
Not all marriages work out in the long run.
Likewise, Texas divorce alternative lawyers advise that not all divorces have to end in a bitter litigation battle, either.
Collaboration and mediation are two viable options that attorneys recommend for couples who can compromise and have positive negotiations so their divorce can be granted without high emotions and traumatic fighting.
With a lower financial and emotional cost as well as a brighter outlook for any involved children, collaboration and mediation lawyers strongly recommend that spouses consider these alternatives to the usual divorce process and potential trial.
Schreier & Housewirth Family Law
1800 West Bowie Street, Suite 200-E
Fort Worth TX 76110
817-923-9999
Gregory L. Housewirth is a Board-Certified Family Law Specialist practicing in Fort Worth Texas. With 30 years of family law experience, Mr. Housewirth has represented hundreds of clients in divorce, custody, CPS, modification, and grandparent cases. In addition, Mr. Housewirth is a qualified family law mediator and a member of Collaborative Law Texas, a practice group dedicated to promoting collaborative divorce in Texas.