Throughout your marriage, you and your spouse have worked together. You planned a wedding, bought vehicles and a home, raised your children and more. Each part of your life had decisions that the two of you worked through. But when going through a divorce, you may feel like you must separate and fight in a courtroom.

But for couples who wish to avoid the courtroom and resolve disputes more peacefully, collaborative divorce can help. Instead of a judge deciding on matters of custody and property division, the spouses can come to an agreement together.

You and your spouse control the process

In collaborative law, you and your spouse still hire attorneys to protect your interests. But instead of going before a judge, the four of you sit and work through the divorce proceedings. You and your spouse get to keep control over how to split assets and custody. And instead of presenting arguments for the court to rule on, you can try to agree on compromises.

Neutral experts can help guide you

Like most divorces, you will probably have to meet several times. If you have children or complex assets, you and your spouse can also bring in neutral professionals to these meetings. Child custody specialists can help you create a custody arrangement. Accountants and financial experts can help you find the fairest way to split your assets. Since they are neutral, they will help you come to a compromise.

Designed to help you divorce outside of a courtroom

If you and your spouse don’t want to have a judge rule on your marriage, collaborative law offers a way that avoids the courtroom. When you hire your attorneys, you all sign an agreement that they will not represent you in court. This contract ensures everyone in the process has the goal of settling your divorce fairly.

While not every divorce can settle outside of a courtroom, the design of collaborative law helps you and your spouse avoid a judge. As you end your marriage, you can set aside the courtroom fight and find a compromise.