Divorce does not have to follow the traditional path

Even as times have changed, television and movies continue to depict people ending their marriages in courtroom battles. This could make some Massachusetts couples who wish to divorce anxious and believe this will be their fate as well. Fortunately, neither party has to leave the relationship with a last memory of arguing in front of a judge.

Many couples here in Massachusetts and elsewhere take advantage of an alternative dispute resolution method such as collaborative divorce or mediation. These alternatives allow couples to bypass the drama and contention of a tradition courtroom divorce. One of the largest draws to these alternatives is the cost, which is often significantly lower than going to court.

Mediation and collaborative divorce both require a commitment from the parties to provide full disclosure and work together to reach a satisfactory settlement. Since most cases end up settling at some point anyway, it would be wise to agree to avoid the drama from the beginning. No one says that the parties have to like each other or be friends, but they do need to reach a point where they can set aside their personal feelings for each other and negotiate a settlement.

Avoiding a traditional divorce also allows the parties to retain control over the outcome and think outside the box when it comes to ways to resolve issues. The non-adversarial processes tend to have a built in feeling of satisfaction for these and other reasons. Before a Massachusetts couple decides they just cannot negotiate a settlement, it might be a good idea to reconsider and find a way to do so.