What Is the Best Path for You?
Do you need a lawyer to get divorced? Technically, no, but it is the only way to be sure that your legal interests are protected. An attorney well versed in Texas family law can address matters you may not have thought of, avoiding future disputes and minimizing the impact on your children.
The attorneys of Coorpender & Ramirez are proponents of collaborative divorce as the best solution for the long term, but it is not always viable. Contact our Denton County practice to sit down to explore all your options in a free initial consultation. We want you to be informed of your options, their pros and cons, and their likely consequences. This will enable us to help you pick the best option for achieving your goals.
The Kitchen Table Divorce
If you and your spouse have decided to go your separate ways and already know how the assets will be split, an uncontested divorce may make sense. Coorpender & Ramirez can draft the documents based on your "kitchen table" agreement. You can be officially divorced after a "cooling-off" period, 61 days after filing.
The main drawbacks of uncontested divorce: (a) An agreement in principle often blows up once the parties get down to the actual details, leading to litigation, or (b) without the benefit of a formal discovery process, you may find out too late that your spouse did not reveal everything.
Collaborative Divorce
In collaborative divorce, we take that same spirit of an amicable break-up one step further. We bring in professionals to sort out the financials and the family issues, helping you overcome any barriers to a workable, forward-thinking agreement. You both sign an agreement not to go to court — freeing you to reach a resolution.
Collaboration has many advantages over litigation, such as lower cost, less animosity and more privacy. In the rare event that you can't reach a deal, you would have to hire different attorneys to litigate.
Traditional Negotiation
As in collaborative law, each of you is represented by an attorney, to hash out a compromise on assets and children. The downside is that negotiations tend to be adversarial. Instead of fairness and openness, each side tries to outmaneuver the other into a lopsided deal. Negotiation frequently escalates into litigation.
Mediation
A neutral third party helps steer you to an agreement. Your attorney can prepare you, but is not involved in the actual mediation sessions — you're on your own. If the process breaks down, you will have to put your fate in the hands of a judge.
Divorce Litigation
Litigation can become costly and drawn-out, and the bad feelings that led to the break-up are often intensified. You also have the least control over the outcome. We make every effort to spare clients and their children from the trauma of a divorce battle. But when it's necessary to go to court, we are capable trial lawyers who will stand our ground and fiercely protect you and your children.
Located in Denton, Texas, Coorpender & Ramirez represents clients throughout the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex. Call us today at 940-321-0265 to arrange a free in-office consultation to explore collaborative divorce, uncontested divorce and all your options.
