Is Mediation or Collaborative Law the Way to Resolve Your Illinois Divorce?
If you and your spouse are able to agree on major issues such as child custody and property division, our Oak Brook, Illinois, lawyers can help move your divorce forward with an eye toward maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Please contact us to discuss the requirements and advantages of reaching resolution through collaborative law.
What Is Collaborative Law?
Collaborative law is a type of alternative dispute resolution — a category that also includes mediation and other proceedings outside the courtroom. When applied to divorce, this essentially means you and your spouse will meet in the presence of attorneys to work out a mutually acceptable marital separation agreement and parenting plan, if applicable prior to appearing before a judge. Many divorcing couples have found that this approach reduces the stress, cost and duration of divorce proceedings.
Amicable Communication Is Essential to Collaborative Law or Mediation
At Bennett Law, our attorneys have extensive knowledge of and experience with collaborative law. Our founder Margaret A. Bennett and associate Anne V. Swanson — the former alternative dispute resolution administrator for DuPage County — have helped many clients evaluate their options and then reach resolution of major issues by these means.
We will ask the right questions to help you determine whether collaborative law or mediation is likely to effectively resolve your divorce case. It is critical to recognize that, for this solution to work, most parties must have already discussed and reached a basic agreement on major, potentially complex issues such as:
- Child custody and visitation
- Child support and spousal maintenance/alimony, if applicable
- All aspects of property division
- An agreement to make full and complete disclosure of the marital assets, income and liabilities
Collaborative Law or Mediation Can Save Time, Money and Stress
If you truly believe your divorce can be amicable and you are still able to communicate rationally with your spouse, you may be good candidates for collaborative law or mediation. Resolving issues through discussion, with minimal input from attorneys, will save you time and money. If you have children, this process may also be easier on them.
Although you will still have to appear in court to obtain a judgment for dissolution of marriage — and we strongly recommend both parties retain legal either counsel— we are very open to helping you through your divorce with a collaborative or mediated process. We will be happy to explore this option in a thorough, informative initial consultation. Please call (630) 573-8800 or contact us by e-mail today to begin the process.
