What Happens if My Spouse and I Can’t Agree on Anything?

Disagreements during divorce are common, but when you and your spouse cannot agree on critical issues, the process becomes significantly more challenging. From dividing property to child custody, unreconcilable disputes can turn an already emotional situation into a prolonged and stressful experience.

The good news? There are well-established strategies to help resolve these disagreements. Whether through mediation, collaborative divorce, or litigation, solutions exist to move the process forward while protecting your interests. This post from Goodman Law Firm LLC will help explain these three main strategies in greater detail.

1. Mediation

Mediation is often the first step in resolving disagreements during a divorce. It involves both spouses working with a neutral third-party mediator to negotiate and reach mutually satisfactory agreements. Mediators do not make decisions for you, but rather facilitate productive conversations to find common ground.

Benefits of Mediation:

• Cost-Effective: Mediation is generally less expensive than litigation.
• Faster Resolutions: Many disputes can be settled in just a few sessions.
• Confidential Process: Discussions remain private, unlike in court cases.

If mediation cannot bring about any agreements, more structured legal help may be required.

2. Collaborative Divorce

Collaborative divorce is another alternative to traditional litigation. It’s a methodical process where both spouses, along with their respective attorneys, commit to resolving disputes outside of the courtroom. This method fosters a team-oriented approach, focusing on cooperation and respect.

Why Choose Collaborative Divorce:

• Less Adversarial: A collaborative process prioritizes open communication and understanding.
• Greater Control: Couples retain decision-making authority, instead of it being left to a judge.
• Privacy Maintained: Like mediation, this process keeps details out of the public record.

If mediation and collaboration fail, litigation becomes the final option.

3. Litigation

The process of litigation involves taking your unresolved issues to court, where a judge will make binding decisions on matters like property division, child custody, and support for the couple.

Key Features of Litigation:

• Court-Directed Outcome: The judge’s decision will resolve the disputes.
• Thorough Documentation: Every component is detailed to build a strong case in court.
• Experienced Advocacy: Effective litigation requires a skilled trial lawyer to advocate on your behalf.

Litigation removes the pressure from the divorcing couple in making arrangements. Instead, it gives judges the authority to make those decisions, which the couple must then comply with.

Finding the Right Approach for Your Divorce

Resolving disagreements in a divorce begins with understanding your options. Mediation works for many couples, delivering cost-effective and amicable outcomes. Collaborative divorce is ideal for those willing to cooperate but requiring legal guidance. Litigation, while often more time-consuming and costly, provides a path when no agreements can be reached.

At Goodman Law Firm LLC, we tailor our approach based on your unique situation, offering clarity and support throughout the entire process. We understand the weight that divorce and unresolved conflicts can place on individuals and strive to provide empathetic, effective legal help to all our clients.

If you and your spouse are struggling to agree on divorce issues, do not wait to get legal assistance. Contact Goodman Law Firm today to schedule a consultation. Together, we can find the right path forward.