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A dignified dissolution is do-able!
By: Irwin Mitchell
A dignified dissolution is do-able!
A dignified dissolution is do-able!
What happens when civil parterships break down?
A dignified dissolution is do-able!
Many civil partnerships break down around Christmas time and into the early months of the New Year.
Unfortunately, many couples only consider two options as being available to them when their relationship comes to an end: either go to court and run up catastrophic legal expenses, or suffer in silence until the former option is feasible financially (especially prevalent in the current economic climate).
What the majority of people are unaware of, however, is that there is an alternative. This alternative is collaboration.
If you want a divorce or separation but would prefer to avoid court then read on to discover:
· Whether collaboration is right for you and your partner;
· How to get the most out of the collaboration process.
Is Collaboration Right For You?
At this point it should be noted that collaboration is not for everyone.
Collaboration is a process through which you can deal with any disputes in a non-confrontational, dignified and tailor-made fashion in order to best resolve any issues without going to court.
You and your partner acquire your own lawyers, forming a four-way relationship.
Meetings will take place at various stages at which you settle the dispute in the least disruptive manner possible.
On the other hand, collaboration may be perfect for you. This is especially so where you and your partner are in agreement that the issue can be resolved without recourse to litigation.
The main advantages are set out below:
- You are in control. The meetings will take place at times that suit you and the agenda will be determined by what you want to achieve.
- The lawyers are on your side. Signing a “Participation Agreement” means that if a settlement is not reached, then your lawyer must withdraw from the case and new lawyers must be found. It is therefore very much in the lawyer’s interest to help you to come to an agreement.
· Long-standing relationships shall not be destroyed. This aspect stands true with three groups of people:
1. Partner – Avoiding court helps to maintain a non-confrontational-style dissolution. An amicable relationship with your partner is not only beneficial to agreeing on a settlement that favours both parties but also has a knock-on effect.
2. Children – Where children are involved, collaboration is extremely beneficial. A friendly relationship between parents will help children through a potentially destructive period.
3. Friends and Family – Especially where you have been with your partner for some time, it would be awful if you were to lose long-standing relationships within a circle of friends and even with your partner’s family.
How Can I Get The Most Out Of Collaboration?
o Choose your lawyer carefully. A vital ingredient for success is a good relationship with your lawyer. Therefore, find someone who you get on with and can trust to have your best interests at heart. Furthermore, make sure that this lawyer’s reputation is good; ask around and try to get some recommendations.
o Communicate with your partner. A major piece of advice is for you and your partner to choose lawyers whose offices are geographically close. Meetings will often take place in alternating offices and so travel costs can be kept down to a minimum. Try to communicate with your partner whilst choosing your lawyer and come to some form of compromise. Remember, you will be working as a team so such communication is essential to success.
o Help your lawyer to help you. Again, communication is paramount. Without keeping your lawyer up-to-date with background information, any new developments or what you want to achieve in each meeting, then time will be squandered in meetings going over such details which can be dealt with beforehand. Time wasted equals money wasted. This correspondence works both ways to make sure that you aren’t exceeding any estimated costs and that you are making the most of your meetings.
For more information please visit the Irwin Mitchell website or ring 0800 028 3458
