Divorce Alternatives – What are my options?

Looking to explore divorce alternatives and divorce options available to you? The 4 most popular divorce options available include:

• DIY Divorce
• Divorce Mediation
• Collaborative Divorce
• Divorce Litigation
• Online Divorce 

Learn more about each kind of divorce below.

DIY Divorce (Do-It-Yourself)

Do-it-yourself divorce is one option for divorce but can be quite complicated to complete if you have children, a lot of assets/debts to divide, differing incomes, or spousal maintenance requests. Some of the mistakes you could make might be irreversible. Forbes says, “I would still highly recommend that each party have their own separate attorney review the final documents.” So, even with a DIY divorce, lawyers still need to get involved.

DIY divorce pros and advantages

• Cost less than any other kind of divorce
• Don’t need a lawyer
• Faster than litigation

DIY divorce cons and disadvantages

• Can lead to an unfair settlement agreement
• No lawyer to look out for your best interest
• You could make costly mistakes
• Less focused approach
• Still need a lawyer to look over final documents

Divorce Mediation (Mediator)

Divorce mediation is a common way to negotiate an out-of-court settlement between you and your spouse. In divorce mediation, you and your soon to be ex-spouse hire a neutral third party known as a mediator. The purpose of mediation is to help both of you identify and resolve divorce issues. Divorce mediation can be used to address a wide range of topics including but not limited to parenting plans, child support, custody arrangements, and division of assets.

Divorce mediation can be used to address a wide range of topics including but not limited to parenting plans, child support, custody arrangements, and division of assets.

According to BestLegalChoices, “Many people choose mediation for the very reason that the parties are not required to be represented by counsel in order to participate.”

Divorce mediation pros and advantages include:

• You have more control over the divorce timeline
• More affordable than a litigated divorce
• Don’t need attorneys
• Promotes communication between spouses
• Reduce the likelihood of post-divorce litigation
• No battling it out in court
• Healthier divorce for children

Divorce mediation cons and disadvantages include:

• A divorce mediator can’t give legal advice
• No attorney to look out for your best interest
• No one to review the divorce agreement
• Either spouse can withdrawal from divorce mediation at any time
• Doesn’t work for cases involving drugs or domestic violence

Collaborative Divorce (Professionals)

Collaborative divorce, also known as collaborative practice or collaborative law is a legal divorce process allowing spouses who have made the decision to end their marriage to work with collaborative professionals including collaborative lawyers, communication coaches, and financial neutrals to reach an out-of-court divorce settlement that meets the needs of both parties and children.

Simply stated, “a collaborative law divorce is a process by which parties use mediation and negotiations to settle their divorce” according to FamilyFindLaw.

Collaborative divorce pros and advantages include:

• More peaceful than going to court
• Costs less than divorce litigation
• High Level of Confidentiality
• Team of experts
• No going back to court
• Healthier relationship after divorce

Collaborative divorce cons and disadvantages include:

• You must work together and trust each other
• You must compromise
• Is not the cheapest divorce option

Divorce Litigation (Lawyers)

When you and your soon to be ex-spouse cannot negotiate a divorce agreement on your own, lawyers must get involved.

According to DivorceMag, “Divorce litigation is a method of divorce dispute resolution. This process involves submitting issues to family court in order to resolve them. Families will often choose litigation if they cannot reach an agreement through other divorce options.”

Divorce litigation pros and advantages include:

• Results whether your spouse participates or not
• Can subpoena your spouse for financial records
• Works in cases involving drugs and domestic violence

Divorce litigation cons and disadvantages include:

• Cost more than any other kind of divorce
• Takes longer than most kinds of divorce
• Less control over the process
• Judge makes the final decision
• Not private

Online Divorce (Forms)

Online divorce is becoming more popular. Online divorce involves filling out paperwork online and filing the paperwork at your local courthouse. There are many pros of online divorce but it doesn’t work for all couples.

Online divorce pros and advantages include:

• Low cost
• Speeds up the divorce process
• Don’t have to appear in court
• You keep control of the process

Online divorce cons and disadvantages include:

• Doesn’t work if your divorce is contested
• You could get scammed
• No attorney to review paperwork
• May need other forms that the divorce service doesn’t know about

According to OnlineDivorce, “Filing an online divorce is a great way to make money and save time. However, it’s not the best scenario for everyone. You need to make sure that you and your spouse are willing to agree on everything and that no contention could cause you to need an attorney later.”

Online divorce mediation is another online divorce option you should consider. Read more about the pros and cons of online mediation.

Hire Professionals to Help with Your Divorce

Divorce litigation can be scary and emotionally draining for you, your spouse, and your children. But it doesn’t have to be that way with collaborative divorce and divorce mediation options. The collaborative process and the divorce mediation process can result in a less expensive, more efficient, and less harmful outcome for everyone involved.

Ogborne Law can help with divorce mediation and collaborative divorce in Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding areas. Our law office is located at 5020 E Shea Blvd Suite 240, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 inside the Paradise Valley Plaza.

Speak with Our Divorce Lawyers in Phoenix, Arizona Today

Regardless of the choice you make, it’s important you make the best choice for you when hiring a divorce attorney. Remember: The decisions you make now can affect your future. Ultimately, choosing the best lawyer will depend on which lawyer feels best for you and your situation. Let us show you how to end your marriage today without ending your family.

Ogborne Law can help with divorce in Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding areas. Our law office is located at 5020 E Shea Blvd Suite 240, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 inside the Paradise Valley Plaza.