Embarking upon a divorce is a stressful time for everybody. Stress creates conflict, and conflict leads to an acrimonious end to a significant chapter in your life.
At VM Family Law, we know that most couples don’t want to spend months feeling stressed and embroiled in court proceedings. That’s why we offer round-table divorce meetings to help resolve disputes quickly and amicably.
Speak to one of our divorce solicitors in confidence for up to one hour for free to discuss whether a round table divorce session would be best for your circumstances.
What are round table divorce meetings?
Round table divorce meetings are used within family law to help settle disputes between divorcing couples. These are voluntary meetings which are confidential so that constructive negotiations can take place to help couples avoid the heartache of going to court.
So, what does a round table meeting consist of?
· Venue – Meetings are typically held in a solicitor’s office. These meetings can either be held together or in separate rooms, with legal professionals acting as go-betweens.
· Parties – Parties usually involve you, your ex-spouse, and lawyers from both sides. You can also use other professionals, including financial experts, to support your decision-making.
· ‘Without Prejudice’ – Without prejudice is a legal term meaning these meetings are completely confidential, and none of the content can be used in court. This allows you to be completely open in your discussions.
· Subject Matter – The goal is to address the obstacles standing in the way of an agreement. Most disputes relate to finances and child custody, but anything is on the table if it’s preventing a final agreement.
If successful, it’s possible to draft terms into a consent order at the conclusion of the meeting. As you can see, it’s one of the fastest ways for both sides to reach an agreement that satisfies everyone
Are round table meetings effective for dealing with divorce?
Round table sessions are an effective alternative to drawn-out court proceedings. It’s a chance to save both time and money for each side, whilst allowing you to start the next phase of your life.
According to The Divorce Magazine, issues tend to be resolved faster, with many divorces going through within a single 60-90-minute session, but realistically 3 or 4 meetings are often required. All round table meetings are entirely voluntary, and we can tailor them to fit your and your ex-partner’s schedules.
Of course, these meetings won’t necessarily work for everybody. If you’re not on speaking terms with your partner or the conflict is still too raw, this may not be the solution for you. Speak to us first to learn more about whether round table meetings are the best option for you.
How a family law firm can facilitate round table divorce sessions
Working with a family law firm to meet with your ex-partner and their legal team is a smart way of creating a neutral space where issues can be discussed in a structured manner. When you work with VM Family Law, we can:
· Arrange a convenient time for all sides.
· Set a clear agenda.
· Ensure all relevant financial disclosures and documentation have been exchanged in advance.
· Provide a neutral space tailored towards constructive dialogue.
· Recruit outside professionals to support you emotionally and manage complex financial issues, including businesses, pensions, and property where required.
Reach an agreement at one of our round table sessions, and we can prepare a legally binding consent order. Once both sides agree to this consent order, we can submit it to the court, thus taking you forward to the next step in the divorce process.
Why you need a solicitor to support your round table divorce meetings
Round table divorce meetings are empowered by the presence of legal professionals who can provide you with on-the-spot advice and counsel throughout discussions.
Taking this approach ensures that you understand the implications of any proposal before agreeing to it. Likewise, VM Family Law solicitors protect your legal rights and prevent exploitation and coercion throughout the process.
Beyond this, the value of having a solicitor present includes:
· An objective force to help break deadlocks.
· Crafting agreements that are legally binding.
· Providing protection and fairness.
· Helping you save money with focused meetings vs. months of going back and forth.
· Managing communication to ensure these meetings are both focused and maintain an aura of respect.
Dealing with months of correspondence between solicitors or going into an expensive court battle is what neither side wants. If you’d like to learn more about how round table divorce meetings can help, speak to a VM Family Law divorce solicitor today.