How does someone who needs a divorce figure out how to proceed? Which services would be most useful? Whom to call first? (Attorney? Mediator? Coach?) What will be the process most likely to keep costs down? Which approach will yield the most satisfactory results?
Here are some tips:
If you have contacted a Collaborative Law attorney first, then he or she can provide structure for your divorce process and provide referrals to other professionals as needed.
If you already have begun work with a divorce or parenting coach, then have a discussion with him or her about whether Collaborative Law or mediation would be a good fit for your needs. Then ask for attorney recommendations. With whom does your coach already have good working relationships?
If you have found a mediator and need separate legal counsel, ask your mediator for leads. What attorneys have provided good support and offered helpful insight to clients in the past?
Have you been asking around? Have you sought advice from your friend who had an awful divorce, or your sibling who constantly complains about her ex-husband, or your colleague who says she can’t make ends meet because she doesn’t get enough child support, or your neighbor who says he never gets to see his kids . . . STOP. Those people who are not thriving after divorce, dear to you as they may be, are not the ones to guide you. Turn instead to qualified, peace-making professionals who can give you the kind of advice that will enable you and your spouse to find your way to satisfying futures.
