In 2008, in a study published by David Hoffman the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law's Journal of Dispute Resolution showed that there is a drastic difference between the cost of mediation and a contested divorce.

During the study, Hoffman reviewed while the family with a median net worth of $2 million.  He found that the combined cost for both parties for legal fees as well as mediation fees was around $15,000.  However, when cases where litigated, the median cost shot to over $155,000 whereas the combined cost for both parties in collaborative divorces was just over $39,000.

Truthfully, the final cost of your divorce will be up to you and your spouse.  You can choose to work together, use a divorce mediator to settle things outside of court or choose to go to court and let a judge resolved your conflicts.  Each scenario will involve differing costs.

If you have questions about divorce and the costs associated with divorce, contact our law office and discuss your case with a Jacksonville divorce lawyer.

More often than not, before couples decide to part ways, there are obvious signs that divorce is on the horizon.  Below, some common signs of divorce are identified:

§  One or both spouses frequently thinks about that it would be like to be separated or imagines living a life without being married to their spouses.

§  One or both spouses feel that the bad aspects of the marriage far outweigh the good aspects.

§  One or both spouses often choose to keep secrets or to keep things hidden. 

§  One or both spouses no longer wish to be intimate, either physically or emotionally.

§  One or both spouses feel as if they are the only ones trying to solve problems within the relationship and are getting nowhere.

Although these signs are not guaranteed to lead to divorce, they often foretell that there are marital problems that could lead to separation in the future if not resolved.

If you are going through an uncontested divorce or a contested divorce in Jacksonville, contact Ellerin & Hutchinson to discuss your situation with a Jacksonville divorce lawyer.

News sources are reporting that Tiger Woods soon-to-be ex wife, Elin, has hired a top lawyer in London.  She wants the lawyer to look into her husband's finances as she enters into divorce proceedings in the state of Florida.

Since her battle with Woods has become increasingly tumultuous, the 30 year old has had to turn to litigators for help.  She recently hired Walter Jnr, a lawyer that is very experienced in tracking down hidden assets. 

A few days ago, a close friend of Elin's told news sources that, "She said from the beginning that she didn't want to fight over money, but at the same time she wants to know exactly how much money Tiger has."  Elin is seeking $750 million from the pro golfer.  With the proceedings become more and more involved, it looks like there may be little hope for reconciliation between the two spouses.

If you are going through a tough divorce in a Florida city, like Jacksonville, know that a divorce lawyer can make a world of difference in the outcome of your case.  To speak with a Jacksonville divorce attorney, contact Ellerin Hutchinson today.  We would be more than willing to discuss your case with you and provide you with legal insight.

Ruth Bettelheim, a psychotherapist, marriage and family counselor, and author, wrote an article in which she claims divorce isn’t what’s damaging to children—family conflict is. Bettelheim points out that multiple studies have shown that divorce and re-marriage do not harm a child’s emotional or psychological well-being. What’s most damaging to children is being exposed to parental or family conflict.

Bettelheim points to a study by E. Mavis Hetherington that found on all meaningful measures of success—social, economic, intellectual, and psychological—that adult children from divorced families were no worse off than children whose parents are still married. In her study, Hetherington writes that although adult children might look back at their parents’ divorce as a painful or sad experience, they were still able to achieve success in young adulthood—finding a job, establishing a career, getting married, building a solid life, etc.

So what needs to change? Bettelheim says we need work on eliminating a legal system that breeds conflict. When the parties in a divorce or custody battle are pitted against each other, it’s not a healthy environment for the children. Bettelheim says that children exposed to family conflict may suffer from anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, or have difficulty forming meaningful relationships.

When it comes down to it, Bettelheim is suggesting that parents need to make a better effort to resolve their cases without conflict. For more information about the benefits of an uncontested divorce, contact a Jacksonville divorce lawyer at Ellerin Hutchinson today!

During a divorce, it may be difficult for the parties to agree upon issues such as child custody and visitation, child support, alimony, division of property, and more.  So much so that the constant bickering, fighting, and arguing can lead to a highly volatile situation.  When the parties are unable to resolve the various issues of their divorce, it is referred to as a contested divorce.  If possible, it is to your advantage to avoid this type of situation.  Not only do contested divorces tend to be emotionally draining, but because the parties cannot reach mutual decisions, they can also take months, if not a year or longer to resolve.   In the end, this means more money, more time, and more stress for you.  The longer a divorce battle rages on, the more money you can expect to spend in the long run on attorney fees and court costs.

The opposite of a contested divorce is an uncontested divorce.   Uncontested divorces are met with little turmoil, as the parties are able to amicably reach decisions over the dissolution of their marriage. When both parties are able to agree on the various issues of their divorce, it makes the process goes much more smoothly, ultimately saving both parties a great deal of time, money, and unneeded stress and anxiety.

How a Skilled Jacksonville Divorce Attorney Can Help

If you have decided to file for divorce, Jacksonville divorce lawyer Scott Ellerin can help you work towards addressing the various aspects of your divorce in an amicable manner.  If any discrepancies, disagreements, or arguments should occur, Mr. Ellerin can help you resolve them quickly, so you can focus on what is most important: resolving your divorce quickly, efficiently, and in a way that meets your satisfaction!

Filing for divorce in Jacksonville or the surrounding area? Contact Jacksonville divorce attorney Scott Ellerin today!