Divorce Without Attorneys

The decision to get a divorce is a very difficult one no matter what the circumstances. Many times, the parties have decided that they will divorce, but they are not quite sure how to go about it or how they will pay for it. If they have minor children, they also need to come up with a parenting plan. Sometimes there is so much conflict that it is hard to imagine reaching an agreement on anything. The expense of hiring divorce attorneys to help can be overwhelming, especially at a time when the parties are trying to figure out how to manage two separate households with their current incomes.

For couples who either can’t afford to hire attorneys, or who have decided to try to work it out themselves, the South Carolina Judicial Branch provides sample forms for a “do-it-yourself” divorce. These forms, with instructions, can be found here.

Although it is not required, it is easier to go through a self-help divorce when the parties have reached an agreement on all issues related to the divorce. These issues are usually: (1) parenting plan, (2) division of real estate, (3) division of personal property, (4) division of debts, and (5) support (child support and/or alimony). Without an agreement, the disputed issues will ordinarily be decided by a judge. When the judge decides, you are bound by that decision, whether or not you agree with it.

At The Resolution Center, we believe in the radical notion that adults can make their own decisions. Even if you are experiencing high conflict in your relationship, we can help guide the communications between you and your spouse, in a private and voluntary setting, to facilitate an agreement on the issues that are important to you. Our role is not that of an attorney – we will not be representing either of you as a lawyer – and we will not take sides. Instead, the Mediator is neutral and her role is to facilitate negotiation between the parties.

The Mediator will help both spouses identify, negotiate and come to a mutually acceptable agreement on the various issues and financial matters required to end their marriage relationship.The Mediator actively participates in the negotiations, but the spouses have full control over the decisions they will be making.

The Resolution Center mediates divorce-related issues for parties with and without attorneys. Not only is it cost effective, but the Family Court requires mediation in most cases before a matter is scheduled for trial.

A typical mediation will generally take 4-6 hours to reach a complete agreement, and the cost is usually shared equally between the spouses.
You Should Hire An Attorney When:

Your spouse is incapacitated.
You fear for your safety or there's domestic violence.
You have reason to believe your spouse is hiding assets.
Your spouse is unwilling to mediate.

Call us to schedule your mediation and to take a step closer to finding peace and closure.