When couples contemplate ending their marriage, they often hesitate because they do not want to face a long, drawn-out legal battle involving multiple court hearings and a trial. Fortunately, there are several ways that couples can dissolve their marriage without going to court. However, spouses must be willing to work together and compromise to reach a mutually agreed-upon divorce settlement agreement. If you and your spouse are unable to collaborate to achieve the objective of reaching a mutual agreement on the terms that will apply to the termination of your marriage, you will likely end up in court to resolve critical issues such as child custody, child support, spousal support, and property division. If a divorce is imminent and you want to end your marriage without going to court, contact a determined Garden City Divorce Lawyer who can help you consider the alternative options that can help you avoid litigation altogether. Please continue reading to learn about some divorce routes that enable you to end your marriage without going to court.
How can I end my marriage without going to court?
Fortunately, there are several ways to avoid a contested trial in your divorce. Firstly, you should attempt to reach a settlement agreement on your own without the help of any outside parties. If you can reach a mutual agreement, the court will consider your divorce uncontested, and you will likely only have to appear in court for the final hearing. If you cannot reach a mutual agreement on the terms that will apply to the termination of your marriage, you can turn to an “alternative dispute resolution” (ADR).
Divorce mediation is one of the primary methods couples turn to when looking for an alternative option to litigation. In divorce mediation, a neutral third-party mediator will work with you and your spouse to resolve your contested issues. During these sessions, the mediator will help you find solutions to reach a mutually agreed-upon divorce settlement. If successful, you will not have to go to court. The terms will be legally binding once both parties sign the final settlement agreement.
Another method that couples can turn to is seeking a collaborative divorce. In a collaborative divorce, both you and your spouse will be represented by an attorney. You will participate in sessions similar to mediation in which the goal is to resolve any disputed issues to reach a mutual agreement on the terms that will apply to the termination of the marriage.
In other cases, couples can opt for divorce arbitration to dissolve their marriage without going to court. An arbitrator will consider your case and decide like a judge would. Many couples choose divorce arbitration because they get to select the arbitrator that makes decisions on the terms that will apply to the termination of their marriage.
Several options are available for couples who want to end their marriage without going to court. However, it can be challenging to determine the best divorce route for your particular situation. Don’t navigate this complex legal process on your own. Allow our knowledgeable Garden City divorce lawyers from the Law Office of Eyal Talassazan, P.C., to assist you in considering all of the alternative options that can help you avoid a costly and time-consuming legal battle.
