Legal

What Are The Alternatives To Divorce?

What are the alternatives to Divorce?

If you and your spouse don’t want to live together anymore and there is no hope for reconciliation, divorce is the answer. However, if you are looking for an alternative, it means that you are not entirely on board to terminate your relationship. You are probably still in love with your partner and want to find a way to dissolve your differences. Many people want to avoid divorce because they view it as a stigma or fear that it will leave a negative effect on the lives of their children. You can try to save a crumbling marriage, though it is not advisable in certain situations. For example, if you are a victim of domestic violence, filing for divorce is the only reasonable solution.

Many couples try to avoid divorce because of the financial repercussions, though that is not a good enough reason to retain a burdensome relationship. Conventional divorce is known to be expensive, stressful, and time-consuming; luckily, times have changed and today you can terminate your marriage in ways that are quick and affordable. If you were forced into a marriage or got married on unlawful grounds, you may want to get out of the wedlock in a more discrete manner as opposed to divorce. If you are troubled or confused on the topic of dissolving your marriage, consult Family Law Attorney in Edina, MN today.

You may consider the following alternatives to divorce with reference to your marital situation:

1. Separation

If you have mixed feelings about leaving your spouse or keep thinking that divorce might be something you’ll regret, opt for a separation agreement. You and your spouse can live separately for a predetermined amount of time to obtain clarity. You may discuss particulars of parenting and spousal support during this arrangement. Living apart will provide you with a preview of what life would be like post-divorce. Some individuals gain a sense of liberty while living separately, and thus acknowledge that divorce would be welcome change.

On the contrary, the independent lifestyle does not suit everyone, so it is not uncommon of individuals to feel incomplete or hopeless without their partner. They realize the significance of the spouse in their life and are motivated to make amends.

2. Counseling

If you and your spouse have been fighting too much lately or there is a lot tension between the two of you, the intervention of a knowledgeable third party could be useful. At times, the fundamental cause of the conflict is unclear, but an experienced couples’ counselor is capable of sorting things out. The counseling sessions can be perceived as psychological therapy for the both of you. This approach often gives both parties the opportunity to open up and recognize their own mistakes.

3. Annulment

If the marriage was conducted without your consent, while you were under the influence, or on the basis of fraud, you may qualify for an annulment. For example, sometimes people get married to strangers while they are intoxicated in Vegas. Some marriages happen because of duress or entrapment as well. Moreover, if your spouse lied to you about their identity or did not disclose a disability, the marriage can be declared illegal. An annulment dissolves the marriage in a way that it never happened; no record remains and you are free to marry someone else.

4. Mediation

You may hire a neutral third party to work out your differences and help find a reasonable solution to any concerns. Mediation may lead to reconciliation or collaborative divorce. In a collaborative divorce, you and your partner can reach a settlement that is mutually beneficial. You do not have to go to court, so the matter is resolved quickly with minimum expenses.