What Is Different About Collaborative Divorce?

I am asked regularly about how Collaborative Divorce works, and what makes it different.   One of the best resources to answer this question is the first letter written about Collaborative Divorce by Stu Webb, the Minnesota family law attorney that is widely recognized as the father of Collaborative Divorce. Stu worked in the legal…

Chad Layton Collaborative Divorce Attorney

How Does A Child Specialist Help In Collaborative Divorce?

Parents will do whatever it takes to protect their children. To someone that is not a parent, this may sound like lip service, or a goal that parents reach for but don’t always achieve.  As parents, we know, this is the truth.  We do everything in our power to help and protect our children. Parents…

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Who Gets The House In a Divorce?

Collaborative Divorce: Interest Based Negotiation vs. Position Based Negotiation Interests are different from positions.  A position generally has only one possible answer – who will get the house?  Me or my spouse. An interest has a number of possible answers – I want to receive the house in our divorce because: it’s close to our…

Chad Layton Collaborative Divorce Attorney

How Do I Obtain A Peaceful Divorce?

The way we start matters.  More and more I hear this question from a husband or a wife, or both spouses, during a divorce consultation: How do I (we) obtain a peaceful divorce? This simple question, or some variation of it, opens the door to a private, peaceful and respectful divorce process.  This civil and…

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

Should I Hire a Bulldog Divorce Attorney?

Recently, I have heard several of my friends use the term “bulldog” attorney. There is nothing new about this term.  We have all heard it used to describe a certain type of lawyer for many years. The interesting thing about it to me is that in some cases I hear it used as a compliment,…

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

How Do I Protect My Children In A Divorce?

Divorce affects the entire family, especially the children.  Recognizing and identifying this concern is the first step to protecting your children from emotional damage that can occur during a divorce.   The next step is for you and your spouse to agree not to fight in court.  Fighting in court increases the likelihood of unnecessary…

Chad Layton collaborative divorce attorney west palm beach

What Is A Collaborative Marriage Plan?

While Prenuptial Agreements contemplate what will happen if your marriage fails, Collaborative Marriage Plans help you and your future spouse consider potential problems that may occur during your marriage and agree to solutions in advance. Prenuptial Agreements are a legal tool that plan only for your divorce.  Collaborative Marriage Plans provide you with a much…

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…