Differences between Divorce Mediation and Collaborative Divorce

If you have been looking for alternatives to divorce litigation, you may have heard about divorce mediation and collaborative divorce. While both allow you to work with your spouse to settle the terms of your divorce, there are major differences between the two.

In divorce mediation, a couple works with a neutral, third-party mediator to make decisions regarding their divorce agreement. The mediator assists the couple in gathering facts and brainstorming solutions, but can only offer solutions if the couple reaches an impasse.

In a collaborative divorce, a couple works with a team in order to come up with their divorce agreement. This team consists of divorce attorneys and divorce coaches (one for each party) as well as a neutral financial specialist and child specialist. Rather than allowing the couple to work out their problems on their own, as happens during divorce mediation, the collaborative divorce team assists the couple in dispute resolution.

The primary difference between divorce mediation and collaborative divorce is legal representation. Collaborative divorce may be the best option for you if you feel uncomfortable drafting a divorce agreement without legal counsel. It may also be beneficial if there is an imbalance of power between you and your husband, as your collaborative divorce attorney can act on your behalf.

Learn more about collaborative divorce by visiting our library. 

Are you trying to decide if collaborative divorce is right for you? While we know that a collaborative divorce can't eliminate the pain associated with the dissolution of a marriage, the Virginia women's divorce attorneys at Hofheimer/Ferrebee want to help you to achieve a peaceful and successful resolution that will enable you and your children to move on with your lives and look ahead to the future.

Begin the process of your collaborative divorce today and get closer to starting your new life with peace of mind. Contact us today to schedule a legal consultation - (757) 425-5200.