About Unified Divorce

What are the main benefits of Unified Divorce?

When compared to the other ways to get divorced, Unified Divorce provides these benefits.

• You will likely spend less money.
• You can reduce negative impact on your children.
• You may experience less fighting, anxiety, and stress.
• You’ll enjoy increased legal privacy during and after your divorce.
• You can create a holistic resolution that sets your family up for a healthy future.
• You can design an agreement that is fair, legally sound, and protects your rights.
• You will be more likely to stay out of court, now and in the future.

How long does it take?

Divorce can be as brief as the minimal time required by the law in your state or as long as you want or need to determine a final resolution. In Colorado, getting divorced takes at least 91 days.

In a Unified Divorce, unlike a traditional litigated divorce, the parties work with their attorney, but WITHOUT the involvement of the Court. There are no court deadlines, no discovery deadlines, no delays waiting for separate lawyers’ to synch their calendars, no court status conferences or hearings.

In a Unified Divorce, unlike a traditional litigated divorce, the parties work with their attorney, but WITHOUT the involvement of the Court. There are no court deadlines, no discovery deadlines, no delays waiting for separate lawyers’ to synch their calendars, no court status conferences or hearings.

How do the fees work?

With Unified Divorce, both parties sign a fee agreement, committing each of them separately to work together with one attorney.

After the initial consultation and upon acceptance to proceed, the family lawyer will assess the issues involved and determine how much time will be needed to complete the Unified Divorce.

The attorney will then provide an hourly rate, estimated time/cost, and collect a retainer fee. From that point, the attorney will track and bill time hourly, and each party will receive a monthly statement detailing the time spent working for the family each month.

While there are no guarantees and each case may vary in cost, fees are focused on creating a resolution, not fighting over every legal point. By eliminating litigation, filing pleadings with a court and the back and forth between two lawyers, fees will likely be substantially lower than traditional litigated divorce or collaborative divorce.

What’s the best way to introduce this concept to my spouse?

Have your spouse review this website.

Set a meeting for the two of you with a certified Unified Divorce attorney to get all of your questions answered, so you both may make an informed decision.

Is it legal to use the same attorney?

The short answer is yes.

Unified Divorce is perfectly legal.

US citizens have a right to enter a contract if they are of age, understand what they are signing, and agree to the terms.

The terms unique to Unified Divorce include the informed consent and waiver to attorney-client privilege, the receipt of legal advice not specific to either individual involved, and full disclosure of all information in an open, forthright setting with the other party involved.

What happens if we argue in the middle and need our own attorneys?

If either party believes he or she needs separate legal counsel during the process of Unified Divorce, they may seek a separate legal opinion on the specific issues of contention. If a resolution cannot be reached, one or both parties can leave the Unified Divorce and initiate a litigated and contested divorce with new attorneys.

The Unified Divorce attorney will not represent either party in a contested setting. All settlement negotiations that occur during the Unified Divorce will be protected as settlement communications between the parties and cannot be used against the other at a future, contested hearing.

Can anyone use Unified Divorce or do you have to meet certain criteria?

Unified Divorce is a true revolution in family law. It produces far healthier outcomes, while reducing costs. However, it’s not for everyone.

Unified Divorce requires an upfront application process to determine the parties working together successfully.

If it is determined that one or both parties have any issues with domestic violence, substance abuse, tendencies to be secretive, mental health problems, concerns with the other’s ability to parent the children, or other issues that may complicate settlement, the parties will be advised to hire separate attorneys, instead of attempting Unified Divorce with one lawyer.

If you and your spouse can be civil towards each other and truly work towards a fair, legally sound resolution that benefits your family now and for the future, Unified Divorce is for you.

How long has Unified Divorce been around?

In 2014, Teddi Ann Barry created Unified Divorce. For more information on the history of Unified Divorce and the mission of UnifiedDivorce.org, visit the about page.

How does Unified Divorce compare to other ways to get divorced?

Please visit our comparison page for detailed information about each way to get divorced.

How does it work?

View the overview page for a detailed explanation of the process.