Many of the high-profile divorces you hear about are incredibly contentious and full of resentment. However, just as many divorces are mutual and amicable. Through a collaborative divorce, you can end your marriage without having to resort to bitter court battles regarding property division and child custody.
If you and your spouse want a collaborative divorce, you should speak to a Salt Lake City divorce lawyer from Brown Family Law. Even when mutual, divorce is a complicated process, and you need a legal professional to nail down details and specifics.
Our team has been a reliable legal partner in Utah for over 15 years. Contact us today to discuss your case with a collaborative divorce lawyer in Salt Lake City.
How a Salt Lake City Divorce Attorney Can Help
A collaborative divorce will still require complicated agreements regarding asset division, child custody, alimony, and child support. A lawyer can help you navigate the divorce process and negotiate a detailed agreement that meets both sides’ needs.
Without a lawyer, you may be putting yourself at an unfavorable disadvantage during divorce, even when there are no hostilities. You may sign an agreement that ends up hurting you in the long run. A Salt Lake City family lawyer can ensure that your interests are fairly represented and solve unresolved issues before filing.
Get Clear Guidance for Your Divorce
How Collaborative Divorce Works in Utah
Utah’s Collaborative Law Act allows parties to agree to resolve legal issues through a collaborative process rather than formal litigation. Instead of preparing for a trial, spouses in a collaborative divorce work together to reach a mutual agreement to terminate the marriage.
The Collaborative Law Act lays down specific rules for how this must happen. Both parties in the divorce must sign a participation agreement stating they intend to abide by the legal process to reach a settlement. Any final agreement must ultimately be signed by a judge, but the actual agreement is reached through negotiation rather than a court battle.
Participation in collaborative divorce must be voluntary, and the process involves a formal discovery and disclosure period. Either party can terminate collaborative divorce, and the courts can still intervene in emergencies.
A Calmer, Clearer Way Through Divorce
Advantages of Collaborative Divorce in Salt Lake City
If you and your spouse are considering a collaborative divorce, you are in a much better state than many other couples. Below are some of the advantages of collaborative divorce over contested divorce:
- More control. Collaborative divorce gives you more control over the final outcome as you and your spouse will work together to resolve things. You can prepare for court, but the outcome of a trial is mostly in the hands of the judge.
- Lower costs. Collaborative divorce is also cheaper. You may avoid the higher costs associated with litigation, and the process will involve fewer hearings and less money spent on attorneys’ fees.
- Faster resolution. Collaborative divorce can be resolved faster. Contested divorces may involve several hearings and drawn-out battles that can take years to resolve.
- Less stress. Ultimately, a collaborative divorce is less stressful for you. You can let go of the stress and worry and instead focus on navigating life after love.
How Long Does Collaborative Divorce Take?
One of the major benefits of collaborative divorce is that it can take substantially less time than contested divorces. A collaborative divorce can be resolved in as little as a few months, compared to contested divorces that can hang in legal limbo for years. Below are a few things to keep in mind concerning collaborative divorce timelines:
- There is a mandatory waiting period for divorce in Utah. Utah requires couples undergoing divorce to wait at least 30 days between filing and finalizing the divorce. However, the waiting period can be waived in some circumstances.
- You may have to attend divorce education. If your divorce involves minor children, you and your spouse may have to complete divorce education courses regarding parenting time and requirements.
- You can make an agreement before signing. You and your spouse can work on a divorce arrangement before signing a collaborative participation agreement. This can help save time and expedite court filings.
- Administrative errors can increase timelines. Making errors during filing or not filling out forms correctly can cause the divorce to take longer. You should work with a Salt Lake City collaborative divorce attorney to minimize mistakes.
Contact a Collaborative Divorce Attorney in Salt Lake City
At Brown Family Law, our team has over 150 years of combined legal experience representing clients in Utah. We are committed to finding a smarter way to do divorce; one that is strategic and quiet, not chaotic and aggressive. You can count on our team to manage your case with empathy and confidentiality, protecting your and your family’s dignity and privacy.
Contact our offices online or call today to discuss your case with a collaborative divorce lawyer in Salt Lake City.
