Due to the significant expenditure of time, money and emotion, various alternatives to litigation have been developed. When both parties are willing to commit to dealing fairly these alternative methods can be very attractive. These alternatives include:

Collaborative Practice is a method for resolving disputes through the structured assistance of collaborative professionals that include lawyers, mental health professionals and financial planners. The process is distinguished from traditional litigation procedures by the clients and the professionals entering into a contractual commitment to negotiate a settlement without using the court system to decide any issues for the parties. The group works as a team to give clients the necessary resources they need to better understand the choices available to them to formulate a constructive plan. The process enables the parties to be completely forthcoming and creative in a safe environment. All discussions and negotiations by the parties are confidential.

Collaborative professionals recognize that, while a marriage may be ending, the relationship and obligations continue. The collaborative process replaces the court drama with a system that takes control of the outcome away from a Judge and puts it back into the hands of the parties. A settlement is customized to fit the parties’ goals and family circumstances. The process is designed to balance the power between the parties who are divorcing and protect the rights of each individual.

More information about the collaborative process can be obtained at The Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida website at www.cflcfl.com.

Mediation is an alternative to the litigation process. This can be less expensive and less stressful on the parties and their children. In the mediation process, the parties work with a trained certified mediator to settle their contested issues.