• 16
  • February
    2012

We have all heard of friends or family members getting a divorce and how painful and drawn out the divorce was. Sometimes these divorces end up going to trial, lengthening the time it takes to finalize the divorce and increasing the cost. However, couples seeking an amicable divorce have alternatives to trial.

There a few different options besides going to trial to come to a Hudson Valley divorce settlement. Mediation is one option which involves an outside party, known as a mediator. There is also a collaborative law approach, in which each spouse hires an attorney who promises to collaborate with the other party to reach an agreement.

Mediation can help come to a quick resolution. Couples can go to a mediator and work out their individual requests for alimony, property division and child custody and support. This option can work if both spouses agree to make compromises.

Collaborative law uses attorneys who meet with each other to work out an agreement that they think is fair for both parties. If negotiations break down, and the couple chooses to go through the formal legal process, the attorneys agree not to represent either person. The couple then has to find new representation to continue. This ensures that the attorneys are going into the process with the full intent on settling the divorce outside of court.

Although each Hudson Valley divorce settlement has different variables and each person has different concerns, seeking an alternative to a trial to settle a divorce can have benefits for both spouses and any children involved.

Source: Patch, "Alternatives to a Contested Divorce," Jeremy T. Simons, Esq., Feb. 13, 2012