5 Key Reasons to Choose Collaborative Divorce

Posted on by rahul

When people get married, they don’t do so with the thought that they may get divorced one day.  When people think of divorce, they usually think of the nasty divorces that they see play out on television and in the movies…where exes are fighting over assets and child custody.  Fortunately, that isn’t the only option.  Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of the other option, which is Collaborative Divorce.

These are the top 5 key reasons why people choose Collaborative Divorce:

(1.) Stay Out of Court

Divorcing Collaboratively means staying out of Court and keeping your records private.  You meet privately with your spouse and lawyers to negotiate, make decisions that are best for all involved, and settle amicably. Read more here about keeping divorce records private.

(2.) Save Time

Taking a divorce to Court could potentially take years, and who has time for that?  Collaborative Divorce could take less than six months. The actual amount of time depends on each individual case.

(3.) Be in Control

Wouldn’t it be better for you and your ex to make the decisions instead of relying on a Judge to step in?  When a Judge decides what is going to happen, you can’t just go and change the outcome if you don’t agree with it.  It’s iron-clad.  That is the whole point of going to Court after all.

(4.) Make Things Easier on the Kids

If you have kids, it’s a good idea to put your ego aside and think of what would be in their best interest in terms of your divorce.  This is because divorce can be traumatizing enough without escalating the conflict even more.  It is much healthier for kids to be able to see their mom and dad working through things in a mature fashion.  This will also help them become more resilient through the changes that come along with divorce. Read more about talking to kids about separation and divorce.

(5.) Less Stress

Working together is much easier on both parties than working against each other in the adversarial Court process.  Also, with the shorter duration that it takes to come to a resolution (as compared to divorcing in Court) it also enables spouses to move on faster.  Who wants to carry all of that extra stress on their shoulders for longer than it has to be?

If you are located in New Westminster or the Vancouver area, call Rahul at Clean Divorce for a FREE 20-minute initial consultation for Collaborative Divorce.

6 Ways Collaborative Divorce Can Save You Money

Posted on by rahul

So you’ve decided to divorce, and aside from just being emotionally overwhelming, you also have to worry about legal and financial complexities. However, if you choose to divorce collaboratively, you can actually get out of your marriage with minimum expenses and save money!

Being able to save money is one of the most compelling reasons as to why Collaborative Divorce continues to gain popularity.

The Financial Benefits of Collaborative Divorce Include:

(1) No Court Costs – Spouses are able to work out their disputes and resolve their issues without having to go to court. Both parties are required to sign an agreement stating their intention to resolve all matters without going to court.

(2) Reductions in Lawyer Fees Associated with Going to Court – In a traditional divorce, you would be billed by your lawyer for the time that they spend attending hearings and other court appearances, which can add up very quickly. Also, if the court became too busy, your case may have to be postponed. Your lawyer would have to refresh and prepare each time before court, which would also add to your bill.

(3) No Need for Specialized Court Documents – With divorce litigation, there is a huge cost associated with preparing specialized formal documents that must conform to certain rules. The formal documents take time.  More lawyer time = more money.

(4) Length of Time to Finalize the Divorce – Collaborative Divorce is completed much quicker than traditional divorces. This shorter overall process keeps more money in your pocket.

(5) Save Time Away from Work – Attending court and meeting with lawyers means lots of time away from work. Courts set dates with no regard to individual schedules or obligations, and people often have to use up their vacation days. There is much more flexibility in the Collaborative Divorce process, accommodating schedules of both parties.

(6) Childcare Costs – Collaborative Divorce helps you save money on childcare costs because you won’t have to take so much time meeting with lawyers or attending various court dates.  With a more flexible schedule, it would also be easier for you to arrange childcare with friends or relatives.

In summary, any divorce is going to cost you money, but if you and your spouse can agree to resolve your disputes and separate amicably, you will both benefit from a time and financial aspect.  Not to mention, you will be reducing the overall stress that divorce has on spouses and their families, and that is essentially priceless.

Call Clean Divorce today for a FREE 20-minute initial consultation. Rahul is a Collaborative Divorce lawyer in Vancouver and can answer all of your questions about Collaborative Divorce and Mediation, plus equip you with the information you need to make wise decisions for your life, your children, and your finances.

 

 

 

Talk it Out in Honour of BC Family Day!

Posted on by rahul

In honour of BC Family Day 2015, Mediate BC will be hosting events across the province to provide the public with information about how mediation can assist families’ transition through separation and divorce without the need to go to court.

I will personally be hosting a table at the events in Surrey and Vancouver.  Come say hello, have some treats, take some print material, and educate friends and family on the benefits of mediation and how to stay out of courts to resolve your family disputes.

BC Family Day                        Mediate BC

Experienced local family mediators will be in 12 Provincial Courthouses during the weeks of February 9th and 16th for these events. CLICK HERE for the full list of cities and dates.

Please refer below to the dates, times, and locations:

Surrey
14340 – 57th Avenue
Tuesday, February 10th
Thursday, February 12th
Hours: 9:00am – 4:00pm

Vancouver (Robson Square)
800 Hornby Street
Monday, February 16th
Hours: 9:30am – 12:30pm

Also, on February 17, 2015, Mediate BC will be hosting a panel discussion on this topic at Surrey City Centre Library: Family Mediation: The Better Way to Address Separation & Divorce, where you will be able to get information on various programs and resources for families from SourcesBC, Options Community Services, PCRS and DIVERSEcity.  CLICK HERE for full details and to register online.

Learn more about mediation and the benefits of mediation.  Contact me with any questions you may have and be on your way to working it out, out of court.