Applying for Jobs with a Criminal Record: Know Your Rights
The Difference Between A Collaborative Divorce And Divorce Mediation
Michelle Garrett
The traditional model for divorce involves each spouse hiring an attorney for themselves, after which the two attorneys negotiate on behalf of their clients. In this model, the two spouses need never actually communicate with each other. Instead, they let their lawyers handle all the communications. Today, though, there are two other types of divorce options, which include collaborative divorces and divorce mediation. These alternative types of divorce strategies are different from the traditional method, and here are some of the differences between them.
What a collaborative divorce involves
When it comes to a collaborative divorce, each spouse will hire a separate divorce lawyer, but they will all meet together for the negotiations of the divorce. In other words, the two spouses and their attorneys meet from time to time to work together to come up with a resolution for the division of marital assets, debts, property, kids, and anything else they must decide on.
What divorce mediation involves
Mediation is very different from a collaborative divorce as there is only one person involved with the divorce. Instead of each person hiring an attorney, the couple hires a mediator together. The mediator is considered the third party in the divorce, and the mediator must be neutral and unbiased. The goal of this is for the couple to meet with the mediator to create agreements on the divorce matters.
Key things to know
As you can see, there are some big differences between these two options, yet both options share the same goal, which is to allow the couple to create an agreement together. Before a couple decides to use either option, though, it is vital for them to consider if this is the right route to take. Both options can be good choices for some couples, but there are couples that should not use these options. For example, if you and your spouse cannot be in the same room together let alone discuss issues, you probably should use a traditional type of divorce, as it would allow you to negotiate without ever seeing or talking to your spouse. You may also want to look into the costs of these options versus the costs of a traditional divorce if money is a factor in your decision.
If you are interested in using either of these types of divorce strategies, you should talk to a divorce lawyer. Contact divorce lawyers like Scott & Scott, PC to learn more.
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I'll be up front: I have a criminal record. As someone who's spent lots--and lots--of time looking for a job in my life, I've gotten used to being up front with this fact. It's difficult to get hired with this on my record, and frankly, it never gets less scary to have to tell an interviewer about it. But that doesn't mean I'm unemployable. I'm a hard worker who can bring a lot to any company. And I also know what an employer needs to do for me. I know my rights. There's no federal law protecting me from discrimination due to my record, but there are plenty of state laws that make it a little easier for me. If you're looking for a job and you have a criminal record, read through this information. Protect yourself during a job search. Know your rights.