MILTON — Two Santa Rosa County attorneys have been certified as Collaborative Attorneys.
Collaborative Law is an alternative method for divorce in which spouses may work together to agree upon the terms of their divorce, instead of participating in contested hearings in front of a judge. On July 1, the Florida Family Law Rules governing the Collaborative Law process become effective.
Spouses, through Collaborative Law, have the option of working with an attorney and other professionals to decide the course of their futures.
Traditionally, divorce proceedings take place in front of a judge whom the parties have never met. The proceedings are oftentimes contentious and invasive, and after hearing a few hours of argument, the judge makes a decision that has a lifelong impact on the parties and their children.
By contrast, Collaborative Law provides for the parties to meet with a financial planner and a counselor to assist them in determining the best financial plan for them and their children after the marriage is dissolved.
Jennifer Byrom and Misty Priest completed the Collaborative Certification Course in July 2016.
In the Collaborative Law process, the parties handle children’s issues with the assistance of a counselor — not a judge, who must rule based upon [oftentimes] limited information.
The parties openly discuss the children's ages, activities and other considerations with the emphasis being the children's best interests.
Florida Statute Sections 61.55 – 61.58 were originally signed into law on March 24, 2016.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa attorneys certified in new divorce alternative