A Simpler Way To Divorce
Getting a divorce does not mean that you have to undergo long, drawn-out battles in a courtroom while hoping to get a portion of your desired outcomes. Instead of choosing the timely and costly option to end a marriage, there may be a less stressful path that better suits your needs. With the help of a skilled Smith Family Law attorney, you can settle things on your own terms.
Divorce Options That Can Save You Time And Stress
Conflict-less Divorce
If you’re looking for a simple solution for your amicable divorce or conflict-less, sometimes referred to as friendly, cooperative or collaborative divorce, family law attorneys Tara L. Smith and Ryan W. Marthaler can prepare the documents reflecting the agreement terms you have reached with your spouse and will guide you through the court process to finalize your divorce.
This streamlined service works well when spouses have already reached a complete agreement on all issues, including asset and debt division as well as custody, parenting time, and financial support for a child or spouse, if applicable. If there are concerns related to domestic violence, a power imbalance, mental health or addiction, or there is a lack of trust between you and your spouse, this service is not appropriate for you. As attorneys are ethically prohibited from representing two people, one spouse enters a legal engagement with Smith Family Law PLLC whom we will represent for this conflict-less divorce service option.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
If you’re looking for a voluntary and confidential way to amicably resolve any outstanding legal issues arising from your divorce, separation or other post-decree matter, Smith Family Law attorneys represent and guide clients through varying methods of alternative dispute resolution before going to court. These ADR methods include mediation, Social Early Neutral Evaluation (SENE), and Financial Early Neutral Evaluation (FENE). In mediation, a neutral third party facilitates communication between participants to promote settlement. In early neutral evaluation, a neutral evaluator(s) offers experience-based impressions and feedback to facilitate prompt resolution of any custody and parenting time issues (SENE) or financial issues (FENE). ADR methods like these empower you to create an agreement in a private setting that best meets your goals and your children’s best interests.
At Smith Family Law PLLC, our attorneys provide skilled and reliable guidance for clients from our Edina office. We are well versed in Minnesota divorce laws and ready to help you and your spouse find an easier way to resolve your divorce through alternative dispute resolution methods, allowing for a more amicable outcome for your family.
How A Non-Conflict Divorce Can Help You
Pursuing a non-conflict divorce saves time, money and energy; this proactive approach shifts mindsets away from potential regret and instead toward a positive outcome tailored for your future.
While these service options most commonly benefit couples without children, married parents can also pursue these options:
- Our attorneys work with you to collaboratively decide with your spouse how assets will be divided, what kind of spousal maintenance or alimony is necessary, and how other difficult matters will be resolved. The goal of this option is to avoid the risk of having a judge make a decision that neither party desires when they can instead work together on their own to reach an amicable outcome through mediation or collaboration.
- Smith Family Law attorneys can also help couples who are pursuing a divorce on their own and just need some help with the finishing touches, including legal document drafting, so they can move into the next chapter of their lives.
As attorneys are ethically prohibited from representing two people, one spouse enters a legal engagement with Smith Family Law PLLC whom we will represent for these non-conflict divorce service options.
