One of the first questions clients ask is, “How much is this divorce going to cost?”
There is no easy answer to that question.
Each divorce is different. Each family has different needs and topics to discuss, making it almost impossible to accurately give an estimate of costs. However, a divorce where the couple can come to their own settlement agreement (without a lot of bickering and arguing back and forth between them and their attorneys) will certainly cost less than one that requires going to court on every issue.
The inability to communicate during a traditional courtroom litigated case creates more tension, more conflict, miscommunication, more court hearings, and a higher cost. Every request for documents and response costs money. Every court hearing to decide an issue costs money. If the case goes to trial, attorneys must set aside time to prepare and pursue the case in court. This will all drive up the cost of the divorce.
Collaborative Divorce can minimize the costs, as the process helps the couples put together their own settlement agreement without court intervention.
How a Collaborative Divorce Keeps Costs Down
In the Collaborative Divorce process, the spouses and their attorneys work together with a team of trained professionals who assist the couple in reaching a settlement agreement on all their issues without the expense of litigation and court intervention. The professionals include a divorce coach who helps with their communication so that conflict is reduced. The Collaborative Divorce process requires the spouses to both agree to follow the California Code concerning full disclosure of all financial issues.
If the couple can form their own financial settlement and agree on a parenting plan, the cost of the divorce will be less than if they insist on going to court for the resolution of their issues. This is true even considering the cost of the Collaborative Divorce professionals who assist them with their decision-making.
