When things aren’t working well with you and your spouse, filing a petition for divorce can be one of the best options to use to end your marriage relationship formally. Essentially, divorce refers to a legal action initiated by one spouse to dissolve the marital union. However, deciding to get a divorce can be overwhelming since it usually involves court intervention. The entire idea of going to court can be emotionally draining because you have to discuss private matters in front of the judge.
Fortunately, there are ways that can help you make the divorce process private and free from court litigation. Unlike those that proceed to court, resolving divorce matters privately is more peaceful to everyone involved and less expensive.
If you’ve decided to divorce your spouse without going to court, below are a few ways to do so:
Resolve Issues On Your Own
If you and your spouse are still on good terms even after the separation, resolving the divorce issues on your own can be an excellent idea. Instead of filing a petition in court, both of you can sit down together, discuss the issues calmly, and try to reach an agreement. The typical divorce issues that need to be settled can include debt and property division, spousal support, and child custody and support. To successfully discuss these matters, it’s advisable to do some research in advance.
Once you and your spouse come up with an agreement, you can hire a lawyer to help you formalize it by creating a document known as the marital settlement agreement. This document will usually contain the terms and conditions of your agreement. With it in place, both of you can skip the traditional divorce process and instead separate ways amicably.
Undergo A Divorce Mediation
Another way to get a divorce without going to court is through mediation. It refers to an alternative dispute resolution method that uses trained professionals to assist spouses in working out their differences and resolving their marital issues.
Unlike the usual divorce process, the mediation services from www.ctmediationcenter.com and other reliable peace-making service providers are less draining because they only involve casual discussions to reach constructive divorce settlements. All you need to do is provide the mediator with all the details of your divorce issues and the documents necessary to come up with an agreement.
Moreover, since undergoing divorce mediation can be an excellent option for making amicable settlements for you and your spouse, you no longer need the assistance of lawyers to handle the process. Both of you, with the help of a mediator, can reach a divorce agreement without dealing with the emotional toll of court litigation.
Use Collaborative Divorce Process
This is another alternative dispute resolution method you can use to settle divorce problems without the court. Compared to divorce mediation, it doesn’t involve a mediator who’ll assist you in coming up with settlements. Instead, collaborative divorce uses lawyers for each spouse who’ll participate in the discussions to reach an agreement.
Aside from the lawyers, other professionals may also be required to participate in the meetings. These can include accountants, property appraisers, and child psychologists. They should be impartial throughout the collaborative process to ensure a favorable outcome.
Use An Arbitrator
If you think you can’t settle your marital issues independently, then going through the divorce arbitration process can be an excellent option. It’s another alternative dispute resolution tool that uses an arbitrator to help you resolve the dispute. That third-party professional will adjudicate the matter by hearing the parties involved and issuing a decision afterward.
Compared to the normal court process, divorce arbitration comes with some benefits. First, having an arbitrator can speed up the resolution process because they’re the ones who provide the decision for your divorce issues. Second, you and your spouse can pick the arbitrator you want and decide how to conduct the arbitration sessions as well as how much time to spend on each meeting.
Bottom Line
Dealing with divorce can be an emotional roller-coaster ride for you and your spouse. But if you want to avoid the hassle associated with the traditional divorce process, you can opt to resolve the matter without court intervention.
By keeping the information mentioned above in mind, you’ll have an idea of how to handle divorce outside of court while avoiding the emotional distress caused by marital problems. But if you want to ensure you make the right decision, consult a lawyer who can explain and help you understand your divorce options.
