Divorcing This Year? Consider the Options for Your Divorce

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif., Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The first week of the new year, many family law attorneys notice an increase in clients seeking divorce consultations.

Have you decided that divorce or legal separation is one of your New Year's resolutions? If so, a Sacramento area attorney suggests that you consider all your options for proceeding.

"There are three common approaches to divorce," explained Myrlys Stockdale, Managing Attorney of the Stockdale Law Firm, Inc., an El Dorado Hills family law firm. "I advise clients about their choices including mediation, collaboration and litigation."

According to Stockdale, these common approaches are:

Mediation – A neutral party, usually an attorney, helps both spouses reach agreements on issues related to the divorce. A mediator does not represent either spouse; their job is to provide you with information on the law upon which both spouses will base their decisions or agreements. With a successful mediation, there is no need to go to court.

Collaboration – Also known as collaborative divorce, this is a process where both spouses agree to not go to court and settle all the issues related to their divorce outside of court. Using this process, divorcing couples, along with their attorneys and possibly other professionals, work together, open and reasonably, to resolve the issues related to their divorce. This method differs from mediation in a few ways but most notably, both spouse are represented by attorneys who are advocating their best interests.

Litigation – This is the method that most people think of when considering divorce. Both spouses have an attorney and motions are filed and court hearings are held to reach decisions in the case. This can be more costly than the other methods and both spouse have less input regarding how the issues in the divorce will be handled, as they are settled by the judge.

Before making the final decision whether to divorce, Stockdale suggests that individuals consult with an experienced family law attorney who can explain the process and offer advice.

Stockdale has been a family law attorney in the Sacramento area for seven years. She is a collaborative divorce attorney, a family law mediator and also handles litigation. Her firm handles family law matters in the Greater Sacramento area.

Visit us at: www.stockdalelawfirm.com

SOURCE Stockdale Law Firm, Inc.