Contrary to popular belief, it is often possible to obtain a divorce — even when children or many assets are involved — with minimum hostility, maximum good will and results that benefit all parties, especially the children.
At The Law Offices of Aubrey Harry Ducker, Jr., P.L.C., we are well-equipped to guide you through Florida's collaborative divorce process. We prepare our clients by discussing "needs" versus "wants," and we stay at your side through the entire divorce process.
Reasons to Avoid a Traditional Legal Divorce
In the typical contested divorce case, the couple must leave the decision-making up to a judge. These cases are expensive, take an incredible amount of time and are extremely emotional. Each spouse has to hire his or her own expert witnesses to give opinions on custody, parenting plans, child support, spousal support and property distribution. Tensions are high, and solutions seem impossible.
Even in those cases where both sides are represented by experienced, professional attorneys and where the trial includes days of testimony and thousands of pages of evidence, the judge can never know the situation as well as the family. It is often said that a good decision from a judge is one where both parties are unhappy.
This is not your only option.
Benefits of the Collaborative Law Process
When clients choose a collaborative law approach for their divorce they want to avoid many of the pitfalls of a more typical dissolution process. At The Law Offices of Aubrey Harry Ducker, Jr., P.L.C., we will work with you to find a better way.
The Collaborative Law approach involves a formal agreement with your spouse, who is typically also represented by another attorney. The couple, along with both attorneys, agree to try resolve the issues in the divorce as a team. This means that while attorney-client communication is protected, information about the marriage is shared freely and openly without the need for costly motions or depositions.
The benefits of this type of arrangement include:
- Gives both spouses significantly more control over the outcome of their case
- Use of a single set of experts maximizes resources
- Professionals who are focused on working together to find the best solution for the family
- Healthy transitions for each and every family member
- Reduced stress
- Increased privacy because agreements are made outside of the public court hearing and motion paperwork
- Faster resolution of the issues
While the benefits of a collaborative divorce are many, the motivation for this approach generally comes from clients who have a strong desire to protect their children. This comes from the understanding that even though the parties will no longer be married, they will continue to have a connection with each other for the rest of their lives. From the child's perspective, a future of sporting events, school plays, graduations, weddings and births will be much more enjoyable if he or she knows their parents can be in the same room together and not fight.
Working With a Member of the Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida
Mr. Ducker is a member of the Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida. As a member of this association, he has received specialized training related to this solutions-based approach. The group includes other lawyers, mental health professionals and financial advisers.
Mr. Ducker is also a member of a number of interdisciplinary and international associations for professionals dedicated to the resolution of family conflict. His memberships include:
- International Association of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
- Parental Alienation Awareness Organization
Is Collaborative Law Right for You? Contact Our Office Today
We take pride in our ability to find solutions for the entire family. We welcome your questions about this approach to resolving family law disputes and will use all the tools at our disposal to help you reach your goals. Please contact our Orlando collaborative law attorney or call us at 407-901-4745 today for a flat-rate consultation. We can meet with you either at our offices or the location of your choice.
