A Knoxville Collaborative Divorce Lawyer: Helping You Choose The Best Way To Move Forward
Last updated on April 1, 2025
Considering a divorce is undoubtedly one of life’s most challenging experiences. As you navigate this difficult time, remember that divorce doesn’t have to be a destructive battle.
As a family law attorney, I understand the emotional toll divorce takes on everyone involved. I founded my firm, the Law Office of Meghan A. Bodie, to provide families in Knoxville and the surrounding Tennessee communities with straightforward advice. I approach each case with compassion and a commitment to preserving your family’s integrity.
What Is Collaborative Divorce?
Collaborative divorce is an alternative to traditional, litigated divorce. In a collaborative divorce, you and your spouse agree to work together respectfully to reach a settlement outside of court. Both of you will have your own attorneys to guide you through the process. The main difference from a traditional divorce is that everyone commits to open communication, honesty and finding solutions that work for both parties.
In the collaborative process, you, your spouse, and your attorneys will attend a series of meetings to discuss all the issues that must be resolved in your divorce, such as the division of your marital property, child custody and financial support. If you and your spouse cannot reach a settlement, both attorneys are disqualified from representing either party in a contested court case. This provides an incentive for the parties and attorneys to work toward a settlement.
What Are The Advantages Of A Collaborative Divorce?
There are many potential advantages to choosing the collaborative process. These include:
- Control: Because you and your spouse are actively involved in finding solutions, you have more control over the outcome of your divorce. This can lead to more creative and personalized solutions than a judge might order.
- Reduced costs: Collaborative divorce is often less stressful and less expensive than traditional litigation.
- Improved communication: It also promotes better communication and cooperation, which can be especially beneficial when children are involved.
By working together, you and your spouse can lay the groundwork for a healthier co-parenting relationship in the future. A collaborative divorce allows you to keep control over the outcome of your divorce. An experienced divorce lawyer who understands Tennessee family laws can help you protect your rights while reaching a settlement in a collaborative divorce.
Are There Situations When You Shouldn’t Consider A Collaborative Divorce?
While collaborative divorce offers many benefits, it’s not right for every situation. If there is a history of domestic violence, abuse or significant power imbalances in your relationship, the collaborative process might not be appropriate.
Also, if you believe your spouse is unwilling to be honest and transparent about finances, collaborative divorce may not be the best path. In these situations, a more traditional, court-based approach might be necessary to protect your rights and ensure a fair outcome.
Consult A Collaborative Divorce Attorney
If you’re considering divorce and want to explore a more peaceful and constructive approach, I am available for a confidential consultation. We can discuss your situation, I will answer your questions and you can decide if a collaborative divorce is right for you. To schedule an appointment, you can call my office at CALL or send me a message through the online form.