Adversarial Divorce

When the relationship is adversarial and one or both of the spouses/partners are unwilling to meet with a mediator to resolve issues, the couple’s only remaining option is to hire two attorneys. In the San Jose and Santa Cruz areas, divorce attorneys typically charge $200-$400 per hour, with initial retainers of $2,000-$5,000 each, and final bills typically between $5,000 and $20,000 each. In addition to being the most expensive option, this process tends to lead to more compromises ("cut the baby in half") than collaborative solutions (what works best for all parties). In addition, it is not unusual for one or both parties to leave the process feeling bitter toward their former spouse/partners. This process may also have the strongest negative effects on the children.

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