Mark Papazian has been practicing as an attorney for more than 40 years. A partner at Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, PC, Mark Papazian represents clients involved in commercial and family law litigation, including divorce proceedings.
If you want to keep your divorce case out of court, you and your spouse should sit down and settle as many issues as possible. You can do this without a lawyer, but it’s usually best to have an attorney present in order to limit conflicts. Attorneys are also more familiar with local laws and may be able to guide you and your spouse to ensure decisions are made in the best interest of everyone involved. You and your spouse can also have one another’s attorneys meet to discuss matters if you know you won’t be able to agree.
Mediation is another way to keep your divorce out of court. This process involves an attorney for both you and your spouse, along with an impartial mediator. With the help of this mediator, you can settle disputes that may otherwise land you in court. Mediators do not make decisions, but they use input from you and your attorneys to guide the decision-making process.
Finally, there is the option for a collaborative divorce. This involves negotiating an agreement with the assistance of what are known as collaborative lawyers, who will withdraw from representing you in the case that the divorce does go to court. You will meet with your lawyers both separately and in a group to finalize the divorce. Depending on your situation, accountants, child custody specialists, and other individuals may be brought in to help you and your spouse settle on an agreement.
