Experienced Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Long Island, NY

Choosing the right collaborative divorce attorney on Long Island, NY is crucial as divorce is not only a legal process but also an emotional and financial journey. Many New York divorces become a hostile process that touches on issues concerning years of arguments and grudges held, and this can be especially difficult when children are involved. Even when both spouses are in agreement, the dividing of assets and severing of family ties can cause severe conflict.

Collaborative ladivorce is one option families faced with a stressful divorce can use to resolve their separation and divorce with less stress, time, and expense. This alternative dispute resolution method can help prevent your relationship from becoming conflicted or adversarial, which helps make future communication between you, your ex, and your children more comfortable.

At Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C., our team of experienced Long Island divorce attorneys are available now to advocate for the best interests of you and your family through collaborative divorce, or any other dispute resolution method.

What Is Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative divorce is a unique process by which spouses work together to reach a divorce settlement in a timely and efficient manner. Each spouse is represented by their own collaborative divorce attorney with the goal of a mutually beneficial outcome that preserves family relationships and sets the stage for divorcees and their children to move forward without the need for divorce litigation.

Collaborative divorce is a great option for many families who are faced with the stress and cost of dissolving their marriage. You can get the best of both worlds and enjoy aggressive legal representation while participating in the process in a private, comfortable setting.

How Collaborative Divorce Works

Before beginning the collaborative divorce process, each spouse will sign an agreement that no litigation will take place during this time and that neither party may file a legal action against the other. The agreement also addresses confidentiality and requires that discussions or documents that were procured during the collaborative divorce process cannot be used in court if the divorce is later litigated.

If you are unsuccessful at reaching a settlement, you may exit collaborative divorce and litigate your case. But to do that, both you and your spouse will need to hire new attorneys. Neither you nor your spouse can use the same collaborative law attorney who represented you during the collaborative divorce that did not achieve your goals.

Differences Between Collaborative Divorce, Mediation & Litigation

While many people use the terms “collaborative divorce,” “divorce mediation,” and “uncontested divorce” interchangeably, these are three different types of divorce resolution. With divorce mediation, both parties meet with a neutral third party to talk about the divorce and come up with solutions that are agreeable to everyone involved. Collaborative divorce doesn’t involve a mediator and instead, both spouses are represented by individual attorneys trained in collaborative divorce who can advise them and advocate for their best interests.

If you want to avoid court intervention and separate amicably with your spouse, but don’t think you can reach an agreement on your own terms through divorce mediation, you may be a good candidate for collaborative divorce.

A divorce mediator can only listen to what you have to say and offer general guidance about the process and what to expect. In a collaborative divorce, your lawyer will be there to protect your interests during negotiations while still allowing you to maintain control over the process by being directly involved.

Top Benefits of Working with a Collaborative Divorce Attorney

There are many advantages of hiring a collaborative divorce lawyer to resolve the end of your marriage, including but not limited to:

• Less conflict and stress during the divorce process.
• Less money spent on attorney and court fees.
• Fewer problems with child custody, visitation, and child-parent relationships.
• More privacy and control over the outcome of your divorce.
• More customized solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of your family.
• Better access to support professionals like accountants and counsellors.
• Better outcomes for business and asset valuation and equitable distribution.
• Greater satisfaction for both sides when the divorce is finalized.

The role of your lawyer in the collaborative divorce process is to provide you with zealous advocacy and knowledgeable advice, so you can make informed decisions about the end of your marriage and the future that awaits you ahead. Your attorney will work with other professionals involved in your case, including your spouse’s lawyer, and will lead collaborative separation agreement meetings to help you find mutually beneficial solutions.

Challenges Couples Face When Getting a Collaborative Divorce on Long Island, New York

Collaborative divorce, while offering numerous advantages, is not without its challenges. Recognizing and preparing ahead of time for these hurdles can help prevent you from crashing and burning when you try to clear them later.

It may be difficult to work with your spouse towards common goals, especially if they are less invested in collaborating with you than you are in collaborating with them. If one party is uncooperative or there are delays in decision-making, the process can stall and potentially even become as protracted as litigation.

The key is keeping the bigger picture in mind and letting some of the little things go. You don’t have to choose to fight every battle or die on every hill. Be prepared to make compromises in the name of maintaining an amicable relationship and reaching mutually agreeable solutions.

You can address these challenges by meeting with your soon-to-be-ex prior to the divorce process and setting some ground rules for negotiations. Make sure you both agree to be honest and proactive when communicating with each other and keep things like the well-being of your children ahead of less important issues like asset division.

Your Collaborative Divorce Team

Collaborative divorce allows you to bring together multiple specialists who can help you better manage all of the different aspects of your divorce. These support professionals can help you deal with complex issues like asset valuation, alimony, child support, equitable distribution, and more.

Here are some examples of people you may want to have on your team:

• A child psychologist or development specialist. Child psychology and behavioral specialists can help you better understand the impact of divorce on your children and provide a neutral voice for your child during this difficult time. They can meet with your child to assess their needs and work with you to come up with effective ways to meet those needs.
• Forensic accountants. A forensic accountant or other financial specialist can evaluate your finances to determine if your spouse is hiding assets, how much your assets are worth, and other critical financial aspects of your divorce. Then, they can use this information to help you advocate for a fair settlement.
• Mental health professionals. Consider working with a therapist, divorce coach, or other mental health professionals to help you manage heightened emotions and focus on healthy objectives for your divorce. They can also help you work through difficult family dynamics and establish positive objectives that are realistically attainable.

How Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C. Long Island Collaborative Divorce Attorneys Can Help You

The experienced and compassionate collaborative law divorce attorneys at Hornberger Verbitsky, PC have helped many couples save time, money, and stress with collaborative divorce. With our firm, you get:

• Reasonable fees
• Confidential representation
• Flexible scheduling
• Post-divorce support
• Creative legal solutions

Meet Our Collaborative Divorce Lawyers

Robert E. Hornberger, Esq.

Christine M. Verbitsky, Esq.

AnnMarie Lanni, Esq. 

Learn More About Collaborative Divorce on Long Island, NY

Learn more about the collaborative divorce process or schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced collaborative divorce attorney on Long Island, NY by calling 631-923-1910 or by filling in our short contact form on this page and we’ll get back with you as soon as possible.

Different Types of Uncontested Divorce

What Is Divorce Mediation?

Mediation vs. Collaborative Divorce: Which is Right for You

Top Reasons Couples Choose Collaborative Law for Divorce

What to Know Before Choosing a Collaborative Divorce Lawyer