WATCH: Family Law Attorney Billy Joe Hopwood Details Alternatives to Contested Lawsuits, ‘A Collaborative Divorce Is Much Less Stressful’

Collaborative divorce is much less stressful than traditional litigation, and has a 90 percent success rate

BRIVADE COUNTY, FL – Many alternatives exist for couples dealing with divorce, child custody, child support, and parenting plans. Mediation facilitates conflict resolution in family law cases and can lead to an amicable resolution of cases.

Collaborative divorce is much less stressful than traditional litigation and has a 90 percent success rate.

“Prenuptial agreements, which take place before the wedding, allow couples to discuss and agree on difficult matters such as support and property rights before any marital problems arise,” the lawyer said. Billie Jo Hopwood, Partner with Platt Hopwood, Russell & Cole in Melbourne.

Postnuptial agreements after marriage, such as a prenuptial agreement, can protect both parties from uncertain outcomes and an expensive legal battle.

Hopwood, an experienced family litigator and certified family law mediator, can help prepare a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, act as a settlement attorney in collaborative divorce cases or act as a family law mediator.

Family law mediation

Mediation is required in most contested divorce and other family law matters before the court makes its decisions, giving both parties the opportunity to decide their fate.

Florida Supreme Court approved family law mediators remain impartial and do not make decisions on cases; The parties make the decisions.

“Nothing happens unless both parties agree,” Hopwood said.

“The mediator does not force any party to come to an agreement and ensures that the agreement reached is voluntary for both parties.” Hopwood explained.

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements

These agreements can protect prenuptial and/or postnuptial assets, waive alimony or set specific expectations regarding alimony, waive inheritance rights and specify a specific outcome in the event of the dissolution of the marriage. Conversations are difficult to have, but they prevent great emotional and financial heartbreak should the union fall apart.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of having an experienced family attorney write a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement,” Hopwood said. “The harsh truth is, nearly half of all marriages end in divorce.”

Collaborative divorce

In a collaborative divorce, experienced settlement attorneys such as Hopwood help couples negotiate the terms of the divorce without having to fight or fight in court.

The solicitor is part of a team that includes other experts as needed, such as a financial expert to help with support and property issues and a mental health facilitator who helps the parties communicate and in cases with children, customizes a parenting plan that is acceptable to both parties.

“It gives both parties the right to self-determination and the information about your family does not become public record, which is what happens when you file for divorce in Brevard County,” Hopwood said.

A collaborative divorce relies on transparency, so both parties sign a contract agreeing to participate in good faith in the process.

Mediation, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and collaborative divorce share two critical goals. It allows spouses to obtain self-determination and reach an agreement to which they have agreed and helps them avoid trial uncertainty.

“Experiences are expensive and not fun,” Hopwood said.

law firm Platt Hopwood Russell and Cole, 175 East NASA Blvd., Suite 300, Melbourne, handles uncontested and disputed family law matters, mediation in family law cases, criminal defense, personal injury, and wrongful death cases. For more information visit PlattHopwoodAttorneys.com Or call 321-725-5638 or 800-479-3032.