Collaborative Divorce vs Mediation

MEDIATION

• A NEUTRAL, QUALIFIED MEDIATOR HELPS RESOLVE CONFLICTS
• MEASURED, MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL APPROACH
• SEPARATION WITHOUT THE INVOLVEMENT OF LAWYERS

COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE

• OPPOSING ATTORNEYS NEGOTIATE TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS
• CLIENT PREFERENCES ARE PRIORITIZED
• IF THEY FAIL TO REACH AGREEMENT, DIVORCING PARTIES MUST FIND NEW ATTORNEYS TO PURSUE A DIVORCE IN COURT

MEDIATION

ADVANTAGES

• LESS EXPENSIVE THAN COSTLY COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE OR TRADITIONAL DIVORCE LITIGATION
• ON AVERAGE, LEADS TO DIVORCE FINALIZATION MORE QUICKLY
• FOCUS ON PROBLEM-SOLVING MAKES THE PROCESS EASIER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILY
• MEDIATION IS SOLUTION-ORIENTED, NOT CONFLICT-FOCUSED

DISADVANTAGES

• MEDIATOR DOES NOT ADVOCATE FOR YOUR POSITION
• MEDIATOR DOES NOT DECIDE ISSUES FOR YOU

COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE

ADVANTAGES

• RELATIONSHIP POWER IMBALANCES CAN BE OVERCOME WITH LAWYER FIGHTING ONLY FOR YOU
• PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE TO TURN TO THROUGHOUT DIVORCE PROCESS
• SPECIALISTS CAN BE USED FOR INSIGHT ON SPECIFIC TOPICS LIKE CHILD SUPPORT, MENTAL HEALTH, FINANCIAL MATTERS, AND MORE

DISADVANTAGES

• MORE EXPENSIVE THAN MEDIATION
• TAKES MORE MEETINGS AND LONGER TIMELINE
• SPECIALISTS CAN BE BIASED AGAINST ONE PARTY
• COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE ATTORNEYS’ PRIORITY IS THEIR CLIENT, NOT THE WELL-BEING OF A FAMILY