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.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative divorce is not the right fit for every couple, but it offers a valuable alternative for many who want to avoid the emotional and financial costs of litigation. You may be a good candidate for a collaborative divorce if:

Couples Who Want to Avoid Litigation

If you and your spouse prefer to resolve your divorce outside of a courtroom, without the adversarial nature of litigation, collaborative divorce offers a cooperative solution. It eliminates the stress and unpredictability of having a judge decide your family’s future.

Situations with Mutual Respect & Open Communication

Collaborative divorce works best when both spouses are committed to respectful communication and transparency. If you and your spouse can engage in honest discussions and prioritize fairness, this process can save time, money, and emotional strain.

High Net Worth Couples Needing Complex Asset Division Guidance

Couples with significant or complex assets, such as businesses, investments, retirement accounts, or real estate holdings, often benefit from collaborative divorce. Financial experts can be brought in as neutral parties to help ensure all property is fairly valued and divided, while avoiding costly courtroom battles.

Parents Who Wish to Prioritize Children’s Well-Being

If protecting your children from conflict is a top priority, collaborative divorce can offer a child-focused approach. Parents can work together to create parenting plans and custody agreements tailored to the specific needs of their children, fostering healthier co-parenting relationships moving forward.

Common Issues Resolved in Collaborative Divorce

One of the strengths of the collaborative process is its flexibility in addressing the same essential issues that would be handled in a litigated divorce but in a more amicable setting. Some of the common issues resolved include:

• Child Custody & Parenting Plans: Collaborative divorce allows parents to develop personalized custody arrangements and parenting schedules, prioritizing their children’s emotional and physical well-being without subjecting them to courtroom conflict.
• Child Support: Spouses can openly discuss the financial needs of their children and come to fair child support agreements based on each parent’s ability to contribute and the best interests of the child.
• Property Division: Couples work together to divide marital property, debts, retirement accounts, business interests, and real estate, with the guidance of neutral financial professionals when needed.
• Alimony/Spousal Support: The collaborative process encourages fair discussions about temporary or long-term spousal support, factoring in each party’s financial circumstances and future needs.
• Division of Complex Assets: High net worth divorces often involve complicated financial portfolios, and collaborative divorce enables couples to jointly retain financial experts to assist in valuing and dividing these assets without litigation.

How a Florida Collaborative Divorce Attorney Can Help

Working with an experienced Tampa collaborative divorce lawyer ensures that your rights and interests are protected while minimizing conflict. Our attorneys are here to guide you every step of the way. Trained in collaborative law, we’ll help you from the moment you sign the participation agreement to the finalization of your divorce decree, ensuring the process remains smooth and focused on mutual cooperation.

While collaboration emphasizes teamwork, protecting your legal rights is still essential. We act as your advocate, ensuring that critical aspects like your financial future, parental rights, and other important concerns are addressed fairly and thoroughly throughout the process.

Collaborative divorces often require input from neutral experts such as financial advisors, child specialists, or mental health professionals. We take care of managing these professionals, ensuring their contributions are effective and all parties work efficiently toward equitable solutions that benefit everyone involved.

Clear and open communication is the foundation of a successful collaborative divorce. Our team works to promote productive dialogue between you and your spouse, fostering transparency and cooperation. We help steer conversations in a constructive direction, keeping the process free from adversarial or litigation-driven tactics.

Once agreements are reached, it’s critical they are drafted correctly to comply with Florida legal standards. Our attorneys ensure all agreements are legally sound, properly documented, and ready for court approval. This way, you can move forward confidently, knowing your agreements are enforceable and built to last.

Contact a Tampa Collaborative Divorce Attorney Today

If you’re looking for a respectful, efficient, and child-focused alternative to traditional divorce litigation, collaborative divorce may be the right choice.

Contact Givens Law Group today at (813) 328-6159 to schedule a consultation and learn how we can guide you through the collaborative divorce process in Florida.