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Divorce

For many couples, divorce proceedings are traumatic and greatly exacerbate the heartache of their loss. Because the justice system is built to be adversarial, it encourages conflict and may incite anger. For the couple who want their divorce proceedings to actually begin the healing process, collaborative divorce can be a healthy option. Attorney Heather L. Kitchen has been helping New York clients achieve lasting and amicable settlements through the collaborative process for more than 20 years. She offers legal support that saves time, stress and expense.

A cooperative process

Collaborative divorce allows couples to work through a non-confrontational, non-adversarial process to reach the best result for themselves and their children. In collaborative divorce, each spouse hires an attorney and the four work together to reach the best arrangement for the future. They address all the same concerns as those discussed during a traditional divorce, including:

  • Child custody and visitation rights
  • Child support
  • Asset distribution
  • Marital debt division
  • Sale or possession of the marital home
  • Spousal support and temporary support

However, rather than resolving conflicts in open court, the couple and their attorneys privately work in a manner that reduces stress and anxiety and moves quickly toward resolution.

The potential benefits

The advantages of collaborative divorce are many:

  • Additional privacy – Since the agreement is worked out in private rather than in court, personal information is held in confidence and there is much less public record.
  • Time savings – The collaborative process goes much more quickly than one that involves scheduled court appearances and formal discovery.
  • Cost savings – Attorney fees are lower because of the reduced time factor.
  • Less emotional turmoil – The act of dealing with your former spouse in a cooperative manner means that you do not face as much stress.

Not for everyone

For collaborative divorce to succeed, an atmosphere of trust must be created. This is not possible in marriages where there has been domestic violence or emotional abuse. If the collaborative process doesn’t work for you, you can easily transition to a traditional divorce. You and your spouse will hire new attorneys, so none of the private matters discussed in the collaborative meetings can be used in the adversarial process.

Contact the Law Office of Heather L. Kitchen today

If you believe the collaborative divorce process could work for you, call the Law office of Heather L. Kitchen at 845-243-3269 or contact her online to schedule a consultation. You’ll receive all the information you need to move forward to a more hopeful future.