The phrase “in these difficult times” has become a cliché in the months since the Coronavirus or Covid-19 virus changed the world. So much has been put on hold – even the courts have been closed — you may have assumed you won’t be able to start divorce proceedings. Even after the courts re-open, you may prefer to continue social distancing as much as you can until there is a vaccine or treatment. If so, you may be happy to learn that you can still get a divorce or legal separation during the pandemic, by using a virtual Collaborative Divorce. The process will look a little different than it used to but, being “virtual” is a cost effective, streamlined way to get a fair and amicable divorce.
Getting a Collaborative Divorce in California During the Coronavirus Crisis
The truth is we don’t need a courtroom to get you divorced, because with Collaborative Divorce we help you settle your divorce out of court. If you and your spouse decide you want to have a respectful, and amicable divorce, Collaborative is a good choice. This is how it works. We build a team of collaborative professions, including an attorney for each party, mental health professionals who serve as coaches and child specialists, and a neutral financial professional. The couple commits to settling out of court and to participating in a respectful and transparent way. Then we work together as a team, using video conferencing, to reach an agreement that works for the whole family. Divorce is never any easy process, but Collaborative Divorce has far less emotional stress than traditional divorce litigation and helps protect the children from the conflict between their parents. The professional team handles the paperwork and provides guidance and support as the couple crafts their agreement together – all without going to court.
Clients, even those who were originally skeptical, have embraced Virtual Collaborative Divorce. They tell us they like the idea of not having to drive and park, they prefer participating from the emotional security of their home environment, and they appreciate the ease of scheduling a meeting when no commute time is involved. While something is lost by not being all together, much is gained in comfort and efficiency.
During the time we have been forced to stay at home, many have begun to reevaluate their relationships and their lives and consider whether there is a positive way to restructure their families and their futures. There are now many experienced and highly trained collaborative professions actively helping families to transition to two households during the Coronavirus crisis. We believe that there are better alternatives to handling a divorce than going to court. Collaborative Divorce will result in a better outcome for your family – both in the short and long term – and now you can do that virtually.
