When most people hear the word “divorce,” they think of a legal process ruled over by a judge, who determines the outcome of various divorce-related litigations like property division, child custody, alimony, etc. Unbeknownst to many, there are actually several alternative paths you can take to finalize your divorce without involving a divorce court. Understanding these alternatives can help you find the method of divorce that works best for you and your soon-to-be-ex.
No two marriages are the same, and so it only follows that no two divorces will be the same, either. In fact, if you’re a woman who’s contemplating divorce, you have several options about how to proceed. In general terms, you need to consider the pros and cons of each one.
Counseling
A positive healthy divorce alternative is acknowledging and accepting the need for outside help. A solution to divorce could be saving your marriage through hard and dedicated work on the relationship. If this has not been attempted, it can be worth trying. At least you will know you gave it your best before deciding to end things, and there will be no regrets. Also, marriage counseling can be a predecessor to all other alternatives to divorce. It can set the stage and create a collaborative field, if not save the marriage. Marriage counseling is part of the answer to how to separate from spouse amicably and on good terms. Understanding each other’s perspectives can help with being civil to each other no matter what you end up deciding.
Separation
If you do not want to end your marriage, you choose the option of judicial separation. The separation will not legally terminate your marriage but only release you from the obligation of living together. This type of physical separation generally does not impact the family’s finances. Hence, property and financial accounts continue to be owned by both spouses.
Furthermore, separation in marriages can be a way to test the waters. If you are wondering why to choose legal separation instead of divorce, there are reasons to consider it. It can help you decide if you want to remain separated without getting a divorce, take it a step further, and file the motion to end the marriage or try to reconcile.
For many couples, trial separation helps them see if they can live apart or they would like to reinvest in the marriage. Separating and divorce don’t have to go hand in hand. Separation can be the answer to how to prevent divorce from happening.
Do-It-Yourself Divorce
The best advice I can give you about Do-It-Yourself Divorce, is DON’T Do-It-Yourself!
Divorce is very complicated, both legally and financially. You can easily make mistakes, and often those mistakes are irreversible. The only scenario I can envision when a Do-It-Yourself divorce may make any possible sense, might be in a case where the marriage lasted only two or three years and there are no children, little or no assets/debts to be divided, comparable incomes and no alimony. In a case like that, a Do-It-Yourself divorce could be accomplished quite quickly and inexpensively. Nevertheless, I would still highly recommend that each party have their own separate attorney review the final documents.
Lawyers’ negotiation
This is what people think of lawyers doing. Each person sees their own attorney, who can then give them advice on what information will be needed to then move onto the likely terms of settlement. Letters are then written to the other person’s lawyer, or to them as an individual, hoping over time to reach agreement. In some cases, it can be useful to set up a round table meeting where the couple and their lawyers try to reach a settlement in direct discussions. Once agreement has been achieved, it is drafted and sent to the court for approval by a Judge as a paperwork exercise. A large number of couples achieve settlement this way. This is like mediation without a mediator.
Mediation
In divorce mediation, a divorcing couple works with a neutral mediator who helps both parties come to an agreement on all aspects of their divorce. The mediator may or may not be a lawyer, but he/she must be extremely well-versed in divorce and family law. In addition, it is critical for the mediator to be neutral and not advocate for either party. Both parties still need to consult with their own, individual attorneys during the mediation and prior to signing the final divorce settlement agreement.
Here are a few pros and cons to consider before deciding if mediation will work for you.
On the “pro” side, divorce mediation may:
• Result in a better long-term relationship with your ex-husband since you will not “fight” in court.
• Be easier on children since the divorce proceedings may be more peaceful.
• Expedite an agreement.
• Reduce expenses.
• Help you stay in control of your divorce because you are making the decisions (and the court isn’t).
• Allow for more discretion. Mediation is private; litigated divorce is public.
However, on the “con” side, divorce mediation may also:
• Waste time and money. If negotiations fail, you’ll need to start all over.
• Be incomplete or unduly favorable to one spouse. If the mediator is inexperienced or biased towards your husband, the outcome could be unfavorable for you.
• Result in an unenforceable agreement. A mediation agreement that’s lopsided or poorly drafted can be challenged.
• Lead to legal complications. Any issue of law will still need to be ruled upon by the court.
• Fail to uncover certain assets. Since all financial information is voluntarily disclosed and there is no subpoena of records, your husband could potentially hide assets/income.
•Reinforce unhealthy behavior patterns. If one spouse is dominating and the other is submissive, the final settlement may not be fair.
• Fuel emotions. Mediation could increase negative behavior of a spouse with a propensity for physical/mental or drugs/alcohol abuse.
Couples often hear about the wonders of mediation and how it is reportedly a better, less contentious, less expensive and more “dignified” way to get a divorce. However, my biggest problem with mediation is that the sole role and goal of the mediator is to get the parties to come to an agreement –any agreement! Remember, the mediator cannot give any advice. All they can do is try to get you to agree. Unfortunately, not all agreements are good agreements, and in fact, in many cases, no agreement is better than a bad agreement. So unless both parties can be fairly reasonable and amicable (and if they can be, why are they getting divorced???), I believe that mediation is usually not a viable option for most women.
Collaborative Divorce
Simply put, collaborative divorce occurs when a couple agrees to work out a divorce settlement without going to court.
During a collaborative divorce both you and your spouse will each hire an attorney who has been trained in the collaborative divorce process. The role of the attorneys in a collaborative divorce is quite different than in a traditional divorce. Each attorney advises and assists their client in negotiating a settlement agreement. You will meet with your attorney separately and you and your attorney will also meet with your husband and his attorney. The collaborative process may also involve other neutral professionals such as a divorce financial planner who will help both of you work through your financial issues and a coach or therapist who can help guide both of you through child custody and other emotionally charged issues.
In the collaborative process, you, your spouse and your respective attorneys all must sign an agreement that requires that both attorneys withdraw from the case if a settlement is not reached and/or if litigation is threatened. If this happens, both you and your husband must start all over again and find new attorneys. Neither party can use the same attorneys again.
Even if the collaborative process is successful, you will usually have to appear in family court so a judge can sign the agreement. But the legal process can be much quicker and less expensive than traditional litigation if the collaborative process works.
Unfortunately, though, I have found that the collaborative method often doesn’t work well to settle divorces involving complicated financial situations or when there are significant assets. In collaborative divorce, just as in mediation, all financial information (income, assets and liabilities) is disclosed voluntarily. Often the husband controls the “purse strings,” and the wife is generally unaware of the details of their financial situation. When this kind of inequality exists, the door is often wide open for the husband to hide assets. What’s more, many high net worth divorces involve businesses and professional practices where it is relatively easy to hide assets and income. Additionally, the issue of valuation can be quite contentious.
So . . . as a general rule, my recommendation is this:
Do NOT use any of these three options –Do-It-Yourself Divorce, Mediation or Collaborative Divorce because if:
• You suspect your husband or wife is hiding assets/income.
• Your husband or wife is domineering, and you have trouble speaking up or you’re afraid to voice your opinions.
• There is a history or threat of domestic violence (physical and/or mental) towards you and/or your children.
• You or your husband or wife has a drug/alcohol addiction.
Litigated Divorce
The fourth divorce option is the most common. These days, the majority of divorcing couples choose the “traditional” model of litigated divorce.
Keep in mind, though, “litigated” does not mean the divorce ends up in court. In fact, the vast majority of all divorce cases (more than 95 percent) reach an out-of-court settlement agreement. “Litigation” is a legal term meaning ‘carrying out a lawsuit.’
Why are lawsuits a part of divorce? Because contrary to popular belief, divorce usually does not involve two people mutually agreeing to end their marriage. In 80 percent of cases, the decision to divorce is unilateral –one party wants the divorce and the other does not. That, by its very nature, creates an adversarial situation right from the start and often disqualifies mediation and collaborative divorce, since both methods rely on the full cooperation of both parties and the voluntary disclosure of all financial information.
Clearly, if you are starting out with an adversarial and highly emotionally charged situation, the chances are very high that collaboration or mediation might fail. Why take the risk of going those routes when odds are they might fail, wasting your time and money?
The most important and most difficult parts of any divorce are coming to an agreement on child custody, division of assets and liabilities and alimony payments (how much and for how long). Although you want your attorney to be a highly skilled negotiator, you don’t want someone who is overly combative, ready to fight over anything and everything. An overly contentious approach will not only prolong the pain and substantially increase your legal fees, it will also be emotionally detrimental to everyone involved, especially the children.
Remember: Most divorce attorneys (or at least the ones I would recommend) will always strive to come to a reasonable settlement with the other party. But if they can’t come to a reasonable settlement or if the other party is completely unreasonable then, unfortunately, going to court, or threatening to do so, might be the only way to resolve these issues.
If you have tried everything else, and you do end up in court, things can get really nasty and hostile. Up until that point both attorneys were “negotiators,” trying to get the parties to compromise and come to some reasonable resolution. But once in court, the role of each attorney changes. Negotiations and compromise move to the back burner. Their new job is to “win” and get the best possible outcome for their client.
And don’t forget, once you’re in court, it’s a judge who knows very little about you and your family that will make the final decisions about your children, your property, and your money and how you live your life. That’s a very big risk for both parties to take –and that’s also why the threat of going to court is usually such a good deterrent.
Here’s my last word of advice about divorce alternatives: Weigh divorce options carefully. The bottom line is that every family, and every divorce, is different. Obviously, if you are able to work with your husband to make decisions and both of you are honest and reasonable, then mediation or the collaborative method may be best. But, if you have doubts, it is good to be ready with “Plan B” which would be the litigated divorce.
Pros of Mediation and Arbitration
They can save time and money.
Litigating your divorce in court could draw out proceedings over a year. Alternative dispute resolution could wrap up your divorce within weeks.4 Even if you hire legal counsel, avoiding trial can help preserve assets, as your legal bills for appearing in court can be substantial.
They help keep family matters private.
Litigation becomes a matter of public record. Mediation and arbitration are more likely to maintain your family’s confidentiality.
They can be less stressful for children.
Taking child custody issues to court means leaving decisions up to a judge. The outcome may not be what the children or parents would prefer. A trial is also usually more acrimonious and can leave children feeling caught in the middle or hostile toward both parents.
They allow both partners to retain control over outcomes.
In litigation, a judge may resolve your issues in ways that neither you nor your partner like. Mediation and arbitration give you more control.
They’re not all-or-nothing.
You don’t have to resolve 100% of your issues outside of court for mediation or arbitration to make your divorce or separation easier.
They don’t preclude going to court later.
If you can’t work out certain issues in mediation or arbitration, you can take the unresolved matters to court.
Cons of Mediation and Arbitration
You may still want to hire a lawyer for advice.
While ADR may be less expensive than going to trial, you may still want to hire legal representation to help you get the best outcomes. Hiring a lawyer at an hourly rate may save you money over paying them a retainer.
You can’t appeal an arbitrator’s decision.
The courts will generally uphold the arbitrator’s decision, even if one spouse is unhappy about it.
It may be easier to hide assets and liabilities.
If either partner is concerned about hidden income, assets, or liabilities resulting in an unfair settlement, then going to court may be a better solution because financial records can be subpoenaed.
They may not be appropriate when abuse is involved.
If physical violence, emotional abuse, or substance abuse play a role in the divorce, then a judge’s orders may be the best option for protection.
The outcome of mediation is not legally binding. You must get a consent order from a judge for your agreement to be enforceable.
Takeaway
When you start thinking about ending your marriage, consider the downsides and potential alternative divorce solutions. Although having freedom from your spouse may seem at that moment like the most important thing, the negative aspects of divorce can make you reconsider.
When you think about the cost, impact it has on kids, your relationship with them, and your relationships with other significant people in your life, alternatives to divorce become more appealing.
Before you make the final cut, think if counseling could be helpful. Although you might not reconcile, counseling will make steps that come next more bearable for both of you.
Other alternatives, such as mediation, legal separation, and collaborative divorce, have been a choice to many since they cut down on the time, money, and energy consumed compared to divorce.
Ending a long-term relationship is never easy, but you can choose an easier alternative to divorce to protect yourself and your family from any pain you can.
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