Most Maryland residents understand that the U.S. has an adversarial legal system. This means that two sides go up against each other, and one comes out victorious. They’re competing to win. However, in some kinds of law, that is starting to change. More people are pursuing collaborative solutions to problems, especially in family court. That works very differently from the adversarial way of doing things.
How collaborative law works
Collaborative law is becoming increasingly popular in areas like divorce. In a collaborative legal process, people enter into an agreement to try to work things out on their own. This involves a lot of negotiation. Everyone involved needs to be clear on their goals and be willing to hear the other party out.
Should the collaborative approach fail, a couple will move on to traditional divorce court. They will typically have to find new lawyers when they do so.
Benefits of collaborative divorce
For many couples, collaborative law is worth a try. It doesn’t just focus on the legal side the way mediation does; collaborative law can involve other professionals, include financial planners and therapists. Mediation and collaborative law proceedings are becoming more popular in part because they’re much less expensive than traditional divorce cases. These cases are often quicker, too, because there are fewer formal hearings to be scheduled.
If a couple reaches an agreement, they are able to present it to the court for approval. This saves everyone in the courtroom a lot of time. Even when collaborative divorce doesn’t work out, it can demonstrate to the court that you were willing to work with your ex.
If you’re going through a split, consider collaborative law. Speaking with a lawyer may help demystify the process for you. A legal professional may be able to help you decide if collaborative law is a fit for your situation.