Columbus, Ohio Collaborative Divorce Attorney

Lisa M. Slotnick, Attorney at Law

Collaborative Divorce
The collaborative divorce process reduces the costs of a divorce and saves time compared with litigation. The parties are each represented by a collaborative divorce attorney and everyone signs a collaborative divorce agreement. Then the attorneys and the parties create agendas for each meeting and both parties are usually asked to provide information for exchange with each other so that the negotiation can begin. Other experts, such as mental health professionals, accountants, etc. may be used throughout the process, if necessary to aid in settlement. It can take some time and numerous meetings to resolve the issues, depending on the complexity of the matter, and the positions of the parties and their attorneys. Generally, the collaborative process is still much quicker than litigation, which typically drags on for months and sometimes years. Also, the parties have more control over the timing of the collaborative process and the outcome as compared with the typical litigious route.

As with a dissolution and an uncontested divorce, the following major issues must be addressed during the collaborative divorce process, if applicable: distribution of marital assets and debts, child custody, child support, and spousal support.

If an agreement is reached, then all of the parties and attorneys sign off on the documents and they are filed with the court. A final hearing date is scheduled, either in front of a judge at the courthouse or in front of a private judge in my office. Normally, at the final hearing, the parties confirm their agreement and the judge terminates their marriage.

Please contact Lisa M. Slotnick, Attorney at Law, for more information about collaborative divorce.

Columbus, Ohio Collaborative Divorce Lawyer