Mediation
In mediation, the parties voluntarily hire a neutral third party to assist them in reaching agreements concerning their divorce. The mediator provides information about the divorce process and guides a discussion to help resolve issues. Mediators help you negotiate a fair settlement. The mediator does not represent either party and provides legal information, they cannot provide legal advice. The advantage of mediation is that it keeps you in control of your own divorce.
If the parties proceed in mediation without attorneys, they are responsible for preparing all the required forms for the court. The parties also appear on record at court for their final hearing to have their agreement approved and the divorce judgment granted.
Collaborative Divorce
This is a process whereby each party hires an attorney and all four work together in a cooperative approach with a mutual goal of reaching a fair settlement. The process attempts to avoid the emotional and financial expense of traditional litigation.
Each party must be willing to compromise and be open to a result completely unanticipated at the beginning of the process, or completely different than what a friend, neighbor, or family member experienced in his or her divorce process.