First Step To An Amicable Divorce: Joint Divorce Process Options Meeting
If you and your spouse are considering divorce in Florida, you may be worried about where to begin. Most separating families aren’t looking for a court battle; they just want to move forward, protect their privacy, and make sure they (and their kids, if any), are okay.
That’s exactly why Family Diplomacy offers a Joint Divorce Process Options Meeting, sometimes called a joint divorce consultation or amicable divorce options meeting. It’s a calm, informative way for both spouses to learn about their main divorce options – litigation, mediation, and Collaborative Divorce – before making any major decisions.
How the Joint Divorce Process Options Meeting Works
This meeting is a one-time, educational conversation with both spouses together. We meet on Zoom to discuss the main process options for divorce in Florida. It just costs our normal hourly rate, and you’ll learn what each option looks like, the pros and cons, and what level of privacy, cooperation, and support each allows. By the end of the meeting, you likely will be able to make a decision about which option your family wishes to pursue.
Before the meeting, we send out a Joint Process Options Meeting waiver for both spouses to sign confirming three important things:
- We will not give legal advice or represent either spouse during this meeting; we are only discussing process options.
- The discussion is not confidential since both spouses are present and a process option is not yet chosen.
- If one spouse chooses to hire Family Diplomacy to represent them, it will only be the spouse who first contacted our office; we cannot represent both spouses.
This clear structure eliminates confusion and maintains fairness. You’ll leave with reliable information, not pressure or legal posturing.
Why Most Divorce Lawyers Avoid Joint Consultations – And Why Family Diplomacy Offers Them
Most divorce lawyers refuse to meet with both spouses because they fear it creates a conflict of interest. When we used to mainly focus on traditional adversarial courtroom divorces, we thought the same thing.
However, in the ten years since we became a bespoke firm that focuses solely on out-of-court dispute resolution, we now believe that when everyone understands and agrees to the boundaries in writing, the potential conflict can be responsibly waived. By signing the waiver, both spouses know that no confidential information is being shared and no legal advice is being given—only education about process choices.
We offer this meeting because we’ve seen how often confusion and mistrust escalate when each spouse hears secondhand what an attorney said. By meeting together, both spouses get the same information at the same time, in a calm environment designed to reduce fear and build understanding.
This concept was first introduced to us by managing attorney Adam B. Cordover’s friend and mentor, Forrest (Woody) Mosten, a Beverly Hills attorney and internationally recognized leader in Collaborative Divorce and mediation. Cordover had the honor of co-authoring the American Bar Association’s book on Building a Successful Collaborative Family Law Practice with Mosten. Mosten’s pioneering work inspired us to adapt this idea for Florida families who want to approach divorce with clarity and cooperation from the very start.
How the Joint Divorce Process Options Meeting Helps Divorcing Families
By the time couples reach the point of separation, trust has often worn thin. Each spouse may interpret written materials differently, and small misunderstandings can lead to big conflicts. We find that when we meet separately with one spouse, explanations about Collaborative Divorce or mediation can easily become distorted when relayed to the other spouse.
This joint meeting removes that problem. Both spouses hear directly from us, in the same setting, without any filters or emotional spin. They can ask process-related questions, hear one another’s concerns, and begin to see how a respectful divorce can work for them.
Litigation vs. Mediation vs. Collaborative Divorce: Which Fits Your Family?
Here’s a brief overview of the main divorce process options we discuss during the meeting:
Litigation:
This is the traditional court process where a judge ultimately decides your family’s future. It’s public, adversarial, time-consuming, and often expensive. For some families, it’s necessary, but most prefer to avoid it if possible.
Mediation:
A neutral mediator helps both spouses reach agreement. It’s private and flexible, but the mediator cannot give legal advice. Many couples hire separate lawyers, but depending on the lawyers’ training and background, the lawyers may treat mediation as an adversarial negotiation.
Collaborative Divorce:
Each spouse has their own specially-trained Collaborative lawyer, and oftentimes the couple works with a neutral financial professional and a neutral mental health professional (called a Collaborative Facilitator). The lawyers cannot be used to fight in court, and so they are incentivized to keep conversations calm and peaceful. The focus is on confidential and transparent financial discussions, creative problem-solving, and protecting children from conflict.
How a Joint Divorce Process Options Meeting Benefits You
A Joint Divorce Process Options Meeting can:
- Reduce stress by giving both spouses a clear picture of their choices.
- Prevent misunderstandings that can fuel unnecessary conflict.
- Save time and money by helping you choose the most efficient path early.
- Establish a tone of mutual respect that carries through the entire process.
You’ll also see that, although you will be meeting with a lawyer, our role is not to pit one spouse against the other. Our goal is to help you both reach durable, informed agreements that protect your family’s well-being.
Who This Meeting Is For
This meeting may be the right fit if:
- You and your spouse want to stay out of court.
- You both value privacy and control over the outcome.
- You want to explore options together before starting a divorce process.
- You’re willing to approach your divorce with respect rather than revenge.
Experience You Can Trust
Adam B. Cordover has dedicated his career to helping families resolve divorce respectfully and privately. As one of Florida’s first Accredited Collaborative Professionals, he has guided clients with complex financial and emotional situations through the Collaborative Process across Tampa Bay, Sarasota, and throughout Florida.
Our philosophy is simple: divorce doesn’t have to destroy families. With the right process, it can help them transition and heal.
If you and your spouse want to explore your options in a calm, educational setting, consider scheduling a Joint Divorce Process Options Meeting. You can meet with us virtually from anywhere in Florida.
Click the button below or call Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm to schedule your Joint Divorce Process Options Meeting.
You are not alone. We can help.
