When the parties to a divorce are unable to reach an agreement on their own, one or both spouses may seek the help of a court. But there are a few things that should be carefully considered before the opposing parties in a divorce leave the negotiation table and head to the courtroom.
The first significant change will be the amount of time it will take before a divorce becomes final. In most cases, months of waiting is necessary before space is available on the court docket for a pending divorce trial. Preparing for the trial date will also make it necessary for both spouses to spend a lot of time in planning sessions with their attorneys.
A divorce that goes to trial will also cost more money to complete than one settled out of court. Divorcees pay for the use of the courtroom. There is also a cost attached to the time of the judge and other officials of the court.
Divorcees should not underestimate the amount of stress involved with a divorce trial. It can be a bit unsettling for a person to stand before a court and expose their private life to everyone within earshot. The process can also become stressful for children and other family members.
The one place where a trial holds the possibility of a clear advantage over a settlement is in the final results. Someone unable to see their needs met by settling may find a trial works much better for them.
Ending a marital union is never easy for anyone involved. If you’re going through a divorce, you may find it beneficial to speak with an experienced family law attorney early in the process.
