Supporting Families in Transition
This guide is designed for couples who are recently separated. It is intended to help individuals make an easy transition from living together to living apart by acknowledging that boundaries need to change as relationships change. It is also meant to be the basis for an ongoing dialogue between separated or divorcing couples as they define and adjust to their reconfigured relationship.
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People who have been sharing a household for some time develop habits and patterns based on that arrangement. When only one person is in the home formerly occupied by both, issues of privacy for the person who remains in the residence arise, while the person who moved out may feel displaced and separated from familiar surroundings and creature comforts. A period of adjustment is to be expected, during which time clear communication is critical. As difficult as these conversations may be, they are less difficult than the kinds of hurt feelings and unintended consequences that will likely be the result if they don’t occur.
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Will I have my own lawyer to protect my interests?Absolutely. The difference is that your lawyer is committed to negotiating an acceptable resolution for you and not to wasting your hard earned money on "preparing a case" in the hope of persuading a total stranger, the judge, to take your side. Over 89% of divorce cases settle prior to trial. Why waste your time and money preparing for something that won't happen? Instead, your lawyer can focus on your needs and wants after you are divorced and dedicate all of his or her time and energy in achieving as many of those as possible. You will always have attorney confidentiality and will talk to your attorney in private to prepare for negotiation sessions and at any other time you need to. Strategic, Streamlined and Supported.
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How much does divorce cost?No one can tell you what a traditional or litigated divorce will cost. That is because most lawyers bill by the hour and the client has no way of anticipating how many hours will be spent on his or her case. You have no control over what actions the lawyer deems necessary or how long those may take. At the end of each month, you will get a bill and be asked to pay it. One month is may be minimal and the next it may be thousands of dollars. And each spouse will be paying their lawyer on demand. It's liking going to the grocery store where your lawyer gets to put into the cart whatever they want and you have to pay for it! At Consensus, our team will get to know your family, evaluate your case, decide what needs to be done to complete your parenting agreement and the division of your assets and liabilities and then give you a price. Upfront. Before you begin. One price, one place, one team.
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Will I go through mediation?The Consensus Divorce Process is kind of like mediation, only better. You will be negotiating an acceptable resolution, which is what we try to do in mediation. but you will have the support and assistance of your family counselor and financial expert along with your lawyer.