Wednesday, February 15, 2006
COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE TAKES SOME ANIMOSITY OUT OF SPLIT
A little-known alternative to a court-managed divorce is seeing a rise in popularity in Charleston County, South Carolina. And while it may not be suitable for everyone, its advocates claim that this type of procedure is less emotionaly taxing on both parties and is significantly cheaper than a courthouse divorce. More important, supporters claim that "Collaborative Divorce, as is is called, is easier on the children.
The concept is fairly straight-forward. In instances when both sides agree the marriage cannot be saved, the parties sit down in a room where each is represented by an attorney. The couple is made to sit next to each other, "symbolically eliminating the gulf between them." Over the course of several visits, agreements about alimony, division of assets, child support, custody, and child visitation are drafted on-site; the lawyers act more as facilitators than adversaries and the fianl agreement is then submitted to the Family Court for Approval.
For more information on seeking a collaborative divorce, interested persons can visit the South Carolina Collaborative Law Association's Web site at http://www.collaborativedivorcesc.com/
A little-known alternative to a court-managed divorce is seeing a rise in popularity in Charleston County, South Carolina. And while it may not be suitable for everyone, its advocates claim that this type of procedure is less emotionaly taxing on both parties and is significantly cheaper than a courthouse divorce. More important, supporters claim that "Collaborative Divorce, as is is called, is easier on the children.
The concept is fairly straight-forward. In instances when both sides agree the marriage cannot be saved, the parties sit down in a room where each is represented by an attorney. The couple is made to sit next to each other, "symbolically eliminating the gulf between them." Over the course of several visits, agreements about alimony, division of assets, child support, custody, and child visitation are drafted on-site; the lawyers act more as facilitators than adversaries and the fianl agreement is then submitted to the Family Court for Approval.
For more information on seeking a collaborative divorce, interested persons can visit the South Carolina Collaborative Law Association's Web site at http://www.collaborativedivorcesc.com/
