Frequently Asked Questions
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You work with your attorney before you begin your divorce to determine issues, settle, and prepare all of the paperwork before you file. The process is similar to the collaborative divorce process, but we do not include all of the coaches, other mediators, and financial professionals. Collaborative divorce does not keep the cost down.
I have an extensive intake booklet covering many of the issues relevant to a divorce. After answering the questions in the intake booklet, we all sit down to discuss any items you could not or did not know how to answer, and we work through any disagreements that might still remain. We don’t file until we have worked through everything.
You are always free to dismiss an action. We would let the court know and they would dismiss the case.
If you wanted to start the divorce again you would need to pay the initial filings fees over .
If either of you decide you no longer agree, we will let the court know, and the court is required to dismiss the case. You will need to refile the case and go through a traditional divorce.
Once I begin the Joint Divorce process I will not represent either party in a traditional divorce.
Additionally, due to the volatile nature of traditional divorces, I no longer practice in that area, and I will refer each of you to attorneys who I trust to handle your case.
I ask for 50% to be provided before I begin work, and the remaining 50% to be submitted before I will file the petition with the court. Other than this payment plan, I do not accept a prolonged payment plan.
The initial payment will not be refunded, but you are not obligated to pay the additional payment if you choose not to file. Once the case is filed, there is no refund for the remaining payment that was paid to file.
As soon as I receive a completed questionnaire back from you, I can complete the initial paperwork within the next 1 to 2 business days.
You must wait at least 60 days after filing before a hearing can be held, and the judgment can be entered. If you have minor children, you must wait 180 days before the judgment can be entered, unless we present clear evidence why the waiting period should be reduced to the normal 60 days.
The above timetable can be delayed due to the court hearing schedule.