Collaborative Divorce Proves that Breaking Up Doesn't Have to Be Hard to Do

WALL, NJ, June 25, 2012 (Press-News.org) Ending a marriage is never an easy decision, but divorce can be especially daunting for couples older than 50. According to the National Center for Family and Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University, the divorce rate for people older than 50 has doubled in the last 20 years, and bady boomers now account for roughly one in four divorces in the US today.

By the time they reach 50,many boomers are on their second or third marriages, and those marriages are statiscally less likely to last.

Linda Piff, a Wall, NJ-based divorce attorney is devoted to mediation, collaborative divorce, uncontested divorce and matrimonial agreement.

As Linda Piff explains, "Irreconcilable differences and the grounds most commonly cited by the older couples. The kids are way at college or have left home, and the conversation, and daily issues do not involve the kids anymore, for many it becomes issue in the marriage which lead to separation and divorce."

Piff and former colleague, attorney Jeff Horn, pioneered the "collaborative divorce' concept in 2005, when the ethics committee of the State Supreme Court gave them approval to practice collaborative law.

In Collaborative Divorce, a couple agrees to avoid formal litigation as a means of deciding support and who-gets what issues.One accountant and/or a collaboratively trained, neutral financial planner can negotiate for settling issues regarding assets being divided - including business valuation or pre-taxed retirement accounts.

As Piff explains, "A Collaborative Divorce generally cost one-third the amount of litigated divorce, and most can be accomplished with one to six mouths. The focus is on reaching a mutually agreed upon settlement of all disputes by using a team approach instead of being adversaries. Meetings can be schedules without waiting for court dates, saving both parties and money. Collaborative divorce with creative problem solving replaces recrimination and revenge, fixing problems rather than fixing blame."

As president of the N.J.State Council of Collaborative Practice Groups, Piff trains other professionals in collaborative family law and has authored a book on the subject.

For information on Linda Piff and Collaborative Divorce, contact Linda Piff at 732-556-0240 or online to Collaborative Divorce Service at www.lindapiff.com.

Linda Piff, esq
1540 Hwy 138
Wall, NJ 07719