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Understanding the role of collaborative law can provide you with significant advantages when you are considering or currently in the process of seeking a divorce in the state of California. For some couples, collaborative arrangements can provide significant cost savings and can reduce the stress associated with divorce litigation. Here are some key points to keep in mind when deciding whether collaborative divorce arrangements are right for you. Collaborative Arrangements Are Best for Amicable Divorces Collaborative divorce law depends on cooperation between the two parties. If you and your former partner are on relatively good terms, collaborative arrangements can allow you to work through all the details of your divorce without litigation and court appearances. These arrangements are not right for all couples, however. If domestic violence or child abuse allegations are factors in your divorce, presenting your case before a judge is usually the best way to resolve these issues fairly. Act in the Best Interests of the Children By working together, you and your former spouse can design innovative and creative solutions that work best for your children. This can reduce stress on members of your family and allow them to weather through this challenging time with the least amount of emotional disruption. Keeping things calm and friendly can sometimes protect your children against the most negative effects of the divorce process in California. Honesty Is the Best Policy Collaborative divorce proceedings work best when both parties agree to absolute honesty in their dealings with each other. If you and your former partner are able to share financial and personal details with each other during the collaborative law process, you can often streamline the divorce process and ensure the best possible outcomes for everyone involved. You Will Still Need Representation Even though you will not be going through the typical divorce process, you will still need a representative during these collaborative arrangements. Your legal representative will be with you at each stage of the process helping you analyze issues and work toward what is best for your family. This can prevent personal hostilities from standing in the way of an equitable solution. Collaboration Can Help Even After Divorce One of the most significant benefits of collaboration during divorce is the ability to make changes to the agreements without going before the court to request them. This can prove to be very beneficial in cases involving minor children or spousal support agreements. Rather than returning to the judge and requesting even the simplest adjustments to the court-ordered arrangements, you and your partner can iron out the changes with the help of your attorney and without engaging in costly litigation after your divorce has been finalized. Choosing to pursue a collaborative approach to your California divorce can help both you and your partner achieve your goals in the most practical and peaceable way possible. This can help your minor children deal with your separation and their new living arrangements more easily and can help you set the stage for cooperating on their behalf in the future. If interested in seeking collaborative divorce services in Fresno, California, contact Kezirian Law, P.C. today!

For couples who are still on relatively amicable terms despite the breakdown of their marriages, collaborative divorce proceedings can be a less stressful and healthier way to decide on important issues without anger or recriminations. These divorce arrangements require the cooperation of both parties and can sometimes reduce the financial and emotional cost of divorce in the state of California. By choosing to work collaboratively to resolve issues, you have a better opportunity to achieve the most positive outcomes for you and your family. The Initial Agreement The first step towards your collaborative arrangement is to sign a contract that clearly outlines the expectations of each party. In most cases, these contracts include an agreement not to involve a judge in the decision-making process and to disqualify your collaborative attorneys from litigating for either party if the collaborative process ends. Instead, you and your former partner will negotiate the best solutions for your situation with the help of attorneys who specialize in these types of divorce arrangements. What to Expect Depending on the type of collaborative divorce arrangement you choose, you and your ex-spouse will consult with a collaboratively trained attorney of your choosing. These two attorneys will then become a part of the collaborative team that works with you to resolve those issues unique to your situation. Your negotiation and resolution process may take a shorter or longer time depending on how quickly you and your partner can agree on various issues. Outside Expertise May Be Required If you and your partner have accumulated considerable assets or debts during your marriage, you may require additional professionals such accountants or financial planners to help value assets owned by the two of you. These advisors can provide information about the assets and debts acquired during the marriage, and along with your attorneys, offer guidance or counsel regarding the best ways to allocate these financial resources and liabilities. Child Custody and Support Deciding what parenting plan is best for your children, and implementing arrangements for their education, medical care, and religious upbringing can be among the most challenging and emotional aspects of divorce for families with children. By working together and keeping an open mind, you can help to avoid resentment and anger while ensuring the best outcomes for your children. Honesty Is the Key to Success Successful collaboration requires both parties to honest and transparent about their assets, their projected incomes and the living arrangements they can provide for minor children. By maintaining an atmosphere of openness and cooperation, you and your former spouse can come up with creative solutions that can help both of you make a fresh start. Collaborative divorce arrangements are not right for every couple. If you and your partner can set aside any lingering feelings of anger or resentment, this alternative to a traditional divorce proceeding may be the right solution for you! If you live in or around Fresno, California, and find yourself searching for additional guidance on whether a collaborative divorce may be for you, contact the Law Offices of Julia Ann Brungess. Call 559-226-4008 to schedule an appointment today!

Divorce can be stressful for every member of the family. If you are on relatively amicable terms with your former partner, however, you may wish to consider an alternative to traditional divorce proceedings. Choosing to seek a collaborative divorce in California can reduce the stress associated with the breakup of a marriage and can allow you to enjoy a number of significant advantages during the divorce process.   Here are some of the most significant benefits of seeking a collaborative divorce in California.   [space_20]   Collaborative Divorce May Allow for a Faster Agreement By agreeing to discuss matters about your divorce directly with your former spouse in the presence of intermediaries, you can often make real progress on dividing up assets and debts, determining the best custody arrangement for children and deciding on other important matters. This can reduce the cost of your divorce proceedings and may allow you to enjoy the best possible outcome for yourself and your former partner. [space_20] The Process May Be Less Stressful for Children Children are keen observers of emotional states, particularly when their parents are concerned. The reduced stress associated with collaborative divorce proceedings can have a positive effect on children and can help them navigate this process with minimal emotional damage. By maintaining a cordial and cooperative attitude, you and your former spouse can also model healthy behavior that can make a real impression on your children. [space_20] It May Be Easier to Move on With Your Life In some cases, collaborative divorce can provide a valuable sense of closure for you and your former partner. By working together to end the marriage and to resolve any remaining issues, you can experience greater peace of mind and an improved attitude regarding the next phase of your life. This can help you minimize regret and can enhance your ability to pursue happiness in the future. [space_20] Collaborative Divorce Can Reduce Hostility and Resentment Because collaborative arrangements provide opportunities to clear the air and to iron out differences, they can be an excellent way to release tension and eliminate hostility and resentment from the divorce process. You can work through many issues and sources of anger while working out the details of your divorce proceedings and custody arrangements. You Can Negotiate on an Even Playing Field Rather than creating an adversarial relationship in the courtroom setting and pitting your attorneys against each other to determine the victor, collaborative divorces allow you to create win-win scenarios that take into account the needs and wants of each party. This can level the playing field for both of you and can ensure a fair resolution of the issues that matter most. By opting for a collaborative divorce, you can reduce the trauma sometimes associated with contentious court proceedings. This can be a positive step for everyone involved, including you, your former spouse and your children. Working together can help you reduce the financial and emotional costs of divorce and can provide you with the perspective needed to take on the challenges of single life and to care for your children after the proceedings are complete. If interested in obtaining more details about seeking a collaborative divorce in the state of California, contact the Law Office of Julia Ann Brungess!  

If you are considering a divorce in the state of California, a collaborative approach may be right for you and your partner. Collaborative divorce arrangements are best suited for those on amicable terms and with solid trust remaining in their relationships. Rather than opting for a combative confrontation in the courtroom setting, you can sometimes hash out your differences in a less stressful environment. It may be possible to reduce the cost of your divorce proceedings by taking a cooperative approach. Here are some facts every couple should know when considering collaborative arrangements for divorce.   The Cost of Collaboration Can Vary Depending on the type of divorce and number of counselors and advisors needed to resolve issues between you and your former partner, the cost of collaborative arrangements can be as much or more than that of traditional divorce proceedings. Discussing the costs and the duration of these negotiations with your attorney can help you to determine whether collaborative or traditional divorce proceedings are best for your situation. For simple divorces with few issues to iron out, however, collaborations can often cost significantly less than the same proceedings in a traditional courtroom setting.   Child Custody Issues Can Extend the Process If you and your partner must iron out the details of child custody, visitation and other shared responsibilities for your minor children, the process can take significantly longer and may require added funds to complete. Some of the most important child custody issues include the following:    Questions about religious practice and attendance    Educational arrangements    Medical care and treatment    Living arrangements    Holiday visitation    Child support payments Discussing these questions with your former partner and coming to a consensus about the best arrangements for your children can significantly speed the resolution process and can help you make the best use of your available budget.   Assets and Liabilities Must Be Divided Making a thorough inventory of all outstanding debt, financial resources and real property accrued during the marriage can help you determine the most equitable way to divide these obligations and assets. This can speed up the collaborative divorce process to save both of you time and money during this difficult time. Your financial situation can play a significant role in the amount of child support, spousal support and other assets available to you and your partner after your divorce is finalized. By being honest and forthright, you can streamline the process for you and your former spouse.   Emotional Issues Can Hamper Success Collaborative divorce arrangements are not for everyone. If you and your former partner cannot easily discuss sensitive issues without becoming emotional, a traditional divorce may be a more appropriate choice for your needs. Allowing your attorneys to serve as mediators can prevent unpleasant confrontations and can help you to achieve greater peace of mind throughout the divorce process. This can also reduce the overall cost of the divorce in some cases. If you are considering divorce, consulting with an attorney who specializes in California family law cases can provide you with greater insight and improved confidence during this stressful time. A collaborative divorce process can potentially save you money and time while reducing the adversarial aspects of your divorce and allowing you to maintain an amicable relationship with your former spouse. If looking for a lawyer in the Fresno, California, area to help you seek a collaborative divorce, contact the Law Office of Julia Ann Brungess.