Experienced Family Law Attorney Guides Couples Through Collaborative Divorce

Personal attention in Milton and throughout the Florida Panhandle

If you have decided to dissolve your marriage, it’s important to choose the best process for your circumstances. Not every divorce requires aggressive litigation in open court. Many couples are able to reach a settlement and avoid the stress, expense and time required of an adversarial process. But there are also many ways to achieve a settlement. For couples who retain a measure of mutual respect and trust, collaborative divorce can be a viable option. Jennifer Byrom, P.A. has provided reliable counsel and strong representation in Florida divorce cases for more than 30 years. We have extensive experience in alternative means of dispute resolution, including mediation and collaborative divorce. We are ready to help you reach a fair marital settlement quickly and efficiently through the collaborative process.

The process of collaborative divorce in Florida

Florida’s Collaborative Law Process Act (CLPA) governs how collaborative divorce works in the state. The basic steps in the process are as follows:

• Each party retains an attorney trained in the collaborative divorce process.
• Parties and their attorneys meet jointly and privately to form a participation agreement, which includes a commitment not to litigate issues of the divorce in court.
• Parties exchange information and documentation voluntarily without recourse to court-ordered discovery.
• Parties agree that if expert consultations are necessary, they will hire a single expert for each area (child psychology, finance, accountancy, etc.).
• If the parties cannot reach a settlement, the attorneys must withdraw, and the parties must find other representation to litigate the case.

When a settlement is reached, the parties sign and present the document to the court for approval. The settlement becomes the basis for the court’s divorce order.

Advantages of collaborative divorce in Florida

There are several advantages to choosing the collaborative divorce process, including:

• Privacy — Instead of litigating your marital issues in family court, you discuss them confidentially in a conference room.
• Pacing — You are not captive to the overcrowded court calendar, so you can move forward on your own schedule.
• Cooperation — Rather than locking horns in an adversarial process, you work together for your own good and the good of your children.
• Greater control over the outcome — Instead of risking an adverse decision by a judge who has very limited knowledge of your family, you negotiate a settlement that is acceptable to you.
• Lower cost — By eliminating the need for discovery, depositions, competing experts, and courtroom appearances, you manage costs.

Collaborative divorce is not appropriate for all couples. For example, if there is a history of domestic violence or the possibility that one spouse is hiding assets, the necessary trust and respect would not be present. We can help you evaluate whether collaborative divorce is appropriate for your situation and, if so, protect your interests throughout the process.

Consult a dedicated Milton, Florida lawyer with experience in collaborative divorce

Collaborative divorce can save you time, stress and expense, but only if you have an experienced collaborative divorce attorney. Jennifer Byrom, P.A. serves the Florida Panhandle area, including Pensacola, Milton and Gulf Breeze. To schedule an appointment, call us at 850-623-4347 or contact us online.