You have choices.

There is no such thing as a cookie-cutter divorce.  Every situation is different. Issues that one couple may find easy to resolve, may be very difficult for another couple to work out.  Certainly, there are specific legal requirements that all couples must fulfill before their divorce is finalized.  The requirements vary from state to state.  For instance, in Colorado, there are several important things to remember.  If there are children involved, a parenting plan must be in place.  Sworn financial statements must be signed by both spouses.  A petition for dissolution of marriage must be filed and a 90 day waiting period must run.  There are many attorneys that can help you meet these guidelines.  

Beyond the legal issues, however, there are physical, emotional, and psychological issues that must also be addressed.  Most attorneys lack the training and desire to help clients with these matters.  Furthermore, our courts are ill-equipped to handle the non-legal aspects that are involved in restructuring a family.  The good news, however, is that divorcing couples have choices.  They can get help in dealing with ALL aspects of their divorce, not just the legal ones.  Both mediation and Collaborative Law are designed to provide support and guidance during the divorce process and give divorcing couples the tools to work through any issues that may arise later.

What does this mean?  It means that couples who are facing divorce have a lot to consider.  Certainly, they can open a phone book and find pages and pages of divorce attorneys who would be willing to take their case.  They can ask their friends or family members to tell them who they turned to when they went through a divorce.  Or they can surf the web, hoping to find answers to questions they don't even know they have.  Regardless of their search method, however, what they are really looking for is guidance.  They need to find someone who can help them navigate the muddy waters of the divorce process. If you are interested in exploring the out-of-court options of mediation or collaborative law, called the office of Janette K. Lawler.  We can help!