A common concern that I hear in collaborative divorce consultations is:
“Collaborative divorce sounds great, but it won’t work for me. My husband/wife is [crazy, irrational, narcissistic, hot head]. That’s why we are getting a divorce.”
In my experience, collaborative divorce is in fact a good process for difficult spouses and difficult divorces.
The reason that I feel collaborative divorce is good option is because I know the alternative very well. It’s litigation. I litigated divorce cases in Palm Beach County for over 12 years.
Litigation is not the option that you want to choose to deal with your [crazy, irrational, narcissistic, hot head] spouse. Litigation means that you file a lawsuit and have a process server go to your spouse’s home or job and serve them with the lawsuit.
Litigation is the breeding ground for divorces to drag on for 2 years or more. The cost of this litigation could choke a horse, as my dad would say. The emotional damage to you and your family is often times worse than the financial cost. Fighting in court to win the divorce does not work. Pro tip, no one wins.
Collaborative divorce provides us with a structured setting and trained professionals. The legal professionals listen to both spouses and use their knowledge to help build options that are reasonable compromises that everyone can live with and move on with their life.
Reaching a fair resolution for the entire family is the goal. Time is not wasted fighting in court. The average time from start to finish in a collaborative divorce is 3- 6 months. Also, in collaborative divorce, unknown hourly fees can be avoided. At our office, we provide fixed fee schedules to reduce unneeded stress and to build trust with our clients.
If you, or a friend of yours, has questions about collaborative divorce in Palm Beach County, we are here to help.
By: Mindful Divorce P.A. [i]
[i] Chadwick M. Layton is a collaborative divorce attorney at Mindful Divorce, P.A. in Palm Beach County, FL. Mr. Layton is also a member of the Palm Beach Association of Collaborative Professionals, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Florida Bar Family Law Section, the Susan B. Greenberg Family Law American Inn of Court of the Palm Beaches and the Palm Beach Flagler Rotary Club.
Mindful Divorce P.A.
205 Worth Ave.
Suite 303
Palm Beach, FL 33480
Phone (561) 537-8227
Office E-Mail: Chad@mindfuldivorcepa.com
Office Website: https://www.mindfuldivorcepa.com
