Collaborative Divorce Lawyer in Tampa

Helping You Avoid a Stressful, Costly Divorce

People who come to family law attorneys are among the most emotionally charged clients in the legal system. The people who once were the dearest objects of their affection have caused them pain and can no longer be trusted.

The reaction of many people in that situation is to try to get even by causing whatever psychological, physical, or financial harm they can to the other person. Often they want their lawyers to assist them in inflicting harm in the legal arena.

However, if you and your spouse are willing to work together instead of against each other, a collaborative divorce may be the right choice for you.

Call Givens Law Group at (813) 328-6159 to learn more.

Specially Trained in the Collaborative Divorce Process

We are proud to have in our firm an attorney who has undergone the training process to learn the most effective procedures for a successful collaborative law effort and has conducted numerous divorce cases using this process.

Stann Givens is one of the original twelve Tampa Bay area lawyers to be trained in collaborative law, is a charter member of the Tampa Bay Academy of Collaborative Professionals and is also a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

What is Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative law requires a change in thinking from the way most litigants look at family law. While both parties are represented by their own attorneys, they must agree before hand to work together for a favorable solution for all aspects of the divorce, including alimony, child custody, and property division.

In general, collaborative divorce costs less, is less stressful, takes less time, and gives you more options than the typical divorce process.

What Does the Collaborative Process Look Like?

• The first step in a collaborative divorce to meet with your spouse, your attorney, and your spouse's attorney to sign an agreement to pursue the collaborative divorce process.
• It is essential that each party agrees to act in good faith to disclose all necessary information and reach an amicable resolution.
• Additionally, both lawyers must agree that, in the case an amicable solution cannot be reached and the divorce proceeds to litigation, they will withdraw from the case.
• You and your spouse will decide on a schedule for gathering financial and other information pertinent to the divorce. If necessary, you may jointly retain experts to assist in determining the identity and value of assets, the standard of living and income capabilities of each party, and the needs of the children. Whether experts are needed depends upon the complexity of the case.
• If necessary, a mediator is jointly retained to help you work through any disagreements that arise during the process.

How Is Collaborative Divorce Different from a Trial in Front of a Judge?

Even though judges do their best to make decisions on child custody, asset division, and child support according to the best interests of everyone involved, they only hear testimony for a few hours or days at most.

The collaborative law process allows you and your spouse to make decisions about your divorce, and you know far more than any judge will ever know about what is best for you and for your children. Working together with your lawyers' assistance, you can reach the best possible agreement to fit the unique circumstances of your family.

When the agreement is reached, it is reduced to writing and presented to the judge to be made into an order of the court.

Contact a Tampa collaborative divorce lawyer at Givens Law Group today to learn more.