The holidays are behind us and one of two things can happen if you have been experiencing marital discord: You may decide to recommit to your relationship and your family after spending quality time together. If this is the case, commit to working honestly and openly on the issues that led you to be concerned about your marriage. Seek assistance from a professional or a spiritual counselor before those issues again come to the forefront. Be pro-active.
But if you have made it through one last holiday season and are now ready to move forward with a divorce, it is important to speak with an experienced lawyer to understand your options. Below are a few of the paths you can choose:
Mediation
You can select a neutral 3rd party mediator to work with you and your spouse to come to a resolution together. This option can be more cost-effective because you share the cost of only one mediator. It also allows the parties to control the process and the outcome. No one knows what is best for your family better than you. Mediation gives you control, it gives you the ability to be creative, and it can begin to retrain each party on how to deal with one another when there is conflict.
Collaborative Process
This is a relatively new option. If there is a need for additional experts, such as an accountant when complex financial issues exist, or a mental health professional when there are sensitive custody concerns, the Collaborative Process brings together all of the experts needed in a team approach, including an attorney for each party.
Litigation
This is the traditional process where one party files a Complaint for Divorce with the Court. Typically, the grounds for divorce is irreconcilable differences. There are cases when there simply must be access to a Judge if the parties are unable to come to an amicable resolution. The only way to access the protection of the Court is to file a Complaint for Divorce. The Court is available to you and will make a ruling on the issues in your case but the parties, with the assistance of their attorneys, can come to a settlement at any time.
It is never an easy decision, but The Deni Law Group can help you make the decision as to which process, or any variation on the above, is the right decision for you and your family. We are here to help you move forward. Contact us today for a complimentary phone consultation at (908) 782-2900.