Tulsa Divorce Attorney
Divorce Options:
When it comes to marital dissolution, you do have options: formal divorce litigation and a divorce trial in court or a private collaborative divorce process outside of court. You can also mediate your case with the help of a divorce mediator to reach a divorce settlement agreement. Moura Robertson is a trained and experienced Tulsa divorce mediator and attorney who is prepared to represent you in your divorce regardless of which option is required for your case.
Litigation:
A litigated divorce through the court system begins with the filing of a petition for dissolution of marriage with the court. Temporary orders may be entered, setting forth how you and your spouse will share time with your children, what child support and support alimony will be, who will live in the marital home, how the bills are going to be paid, and any other issues that need to be addressed during the divorce proceeding. In Tulsa County, Oklahoma, there will be a parenting plan conference at the beginning of the case where these temporary issues may be resolved by agreement. The court will also enter an order setting deadlines for getting certain things done and may also require mediation for the parties to try to settle their case outside of court. Ultimately, if you and your spouse are unable to reach a settlement agreement, a trial will be held and the judge will decide who gets what, who pays what, and whether you will have sole custody or joint custody of your children, and will set a visitation schedule.
The Collaborative Divorce Process:
Before either of you file for divorce with the court, consider whether a collaborative divorce process would be best in your particular situation. Unlike traditional, position-based litigation, the collaborative divorce process involves interest-based negotiation and allows you to make your own decisions instead of a judge. It is client-driven rather that court-driven process, cooperative rather than combative.
Moura Robertson has advanced training and experience in the collaborative divorce process and can effectively represent you in your collaborative divorce. You, your spouse, and your collaboratively-trained attorneys sign an agreement to collaborate on a settlement agreement and not go to court. Private, informal meetings are held and information and documents are freely exchanged so that each of you is equipped to make smart decisions about your children and financial future. Divorce coaches address any emotional issues which may interfere with your collaborative efforts. If needed, other collaboratively-trained professionals can be employed to assist with financial and child-related issues. Once an agreement is reached, the necessary paperwork is drawn-up and filed with the court to finalize your divorce. If collaborative efforts fail, which is rare, each of you is required to hire new attorneys for litigation purposes.
The collaborative divorce process is private, respectful, and results in a mutually beneficial outcome without the added stress, publicity, and inherent expense associated with litigation. For more information about the collaborative divorce process, visit the Oklahoma Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
Mediation:
Mediation is a lower-stress, low-cost alternative to traditional divorce litigation. It is an alternative dispute resolution process which is often required by the court before proceeding to trial and, if successful, results in an out-of-court settlement. Spouses meet with an independent mediation professional, typically an attorney, who facilitates their settlement negotiations. The mediator is a neutral settlement facilitator who does not represent either of you and cannot provide you with legal advice.
Mediation can be done either with or without legal representatives and can occur at any time, both before or during the divorce proceeding. One or more mediation sessions will be held, depending upon the issues in your particular case. Once a settlement agreement is reached, it is put in writing.
Moura Robertson is a certified and experienced Tulsa divorce mediator. She has mediated divorce and other family law disputes both with and without attorneys being present. She is often hired by other divorce attorneys to mediate their clients’ divorces, develop parenting plans, and settle asset and debt division and other financial issues. Ms. Robertson has helped numerous people resolve their differences so they can move on with their lives. To schedule mediation, please contact us.
