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Chad Layton Collaborative Divorce Attorney

Can I Use the Collaborative Process to Modify Alimony or a Parenting Plan?

Yes, the Collaborative Process works as a peacemaking option for divorce actions, and to modify or fix previously entered divorce judgments. Often times, years after a divorce is finalized, changes occur in the family that create a need to modify the terms of the divorce judgment. These changes are often related to addressing concerns for…

Chad Layton Collaborative Divorce Attorney

Is Court The Best Place For My Divorce?

No, the courthouse is not the best venue to resolve your divorce. Courts and judges are needed to handle criminal cases, and many other legal conflicts.  However, in my opinion, court is not the best venue to resolve your divorce peacefully and privately. Surgeons Are Like Litigation Attorneys Here is a good analogy: In the…

Chad Layton collaborative divorce attorney west palm beach

Divorce Is Not: You Vs. Your Spouse

Divorce is defined by the American Bar Association as a court decree finding that a valid marriage no longer exists. The path that you choose to obtain a court decree ending your marriage is your choice. You don’t need to, and I would strongly recommend that you do not: Engage in a legal battle with…

Chad Layton Collaborative Divorce Attorney

How Do I Tell My Spouse That I Want A Divorce?

Broaching the topic of divorce with your husband or wife is no easy task. Informing your husband or wife that you have done everything you can to repair the relationship, and that you have made the difficult decision to end the marriage is as hard as it gets. As a friend of mine often says,…

Chad Layton collaborative divorce attorney west palm beach

Can I Get A Collaborative Divorce If We Don’t Agree On Everything?

Yes.  The Collaborative Divorce process provides you with a team of experienced divorce professionals that work to provide you with solutions that are tailored to the unique circumstances and finances of your marriage. Your Collaborative Divorce team can include a financial professional, a mental health professional and two collaboratively trained divorce attorneys.  The entire team…

Chad Layton collaborative divorce attorney west palm beach

How Does The New Florida Alimony Law Affect Collaborative Divorce?

On June 30, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Florida alimony reform bill into law. Here are a few take aways from the new alimony statute: Permanent or “Lifetime Alimony” is eliminated. Adultery by either spouse may now be considered in awarding alimony, and its resulting financial impact on the spouses. The legal standard of “need”…

Chad Layton Collaborative Divorce Attorney

Collaborative Divorce – Transparency Works

Unfortunately, our experience with divorce very likely includes one spouse filing a lawsuit and serving the other spouse with a summons and legal complaint. The litigation and the divorce is then underway. Both spouses then lawyer up and prepare to battle in Court over their divorce. This litigated approach to divorce keeps many divorce attorneys…

Chad Layton Collaborative Divorce Attorney

Benefits of Mindfulness

Many of us do our best to take a few moments out of the day to slow down and quiet the tasks and stress that come with our jobs and profession. For me, I do my best to take ten minutes during the lunch hour to take a walk without any devices and clear my…

Chad Layton Collaborative Divorce Attorney

LET’S CHANGE THE WAY WE GET DIVORCED

The status quo in divorce is broken. What is the status quo in divorce?  Litigation.  Each spouse hires their own divorce litigator and the attorney’s file a lawsuit.  The battle lines are drawn, and each side takes their positions.  Legal attacks and court hearings ensue.  Emotional and financial damage is inflicted upon the family.  A…

Chad Layton collaborative divorce attorney west palm beach

Prioritize Peace Over Winning

We all have options in how we choose to resolve conflict.  Do we focus on being right?  Do we focus on winning? Do we focus on peaceful alternatives? Collaborative Divorce In collaborative divorce, we place a high value on peace.  We choose to focus on peace because we know that families going through a divorce…