EARLY NEUTRAL EVALUATION OF FINANCIAL ISSUES

Like early neutral evaluation of parenting issues, the opportunity to participate in the early neutral evaluation of financial issues is equally important. The parents have the ability to address maintenance, child support and property division issues in an informal constructive setting that lends itself to problem solving. Information is exchanged in a cost effective manner as cumbersome rules for the production of information are avoided. Each side can receive all necessary information while avoiding the expensive duplication, excesses and game playing that often become part of the formal discovery process. Each party can receive confirmation in an informal sworn affidavit to ensure that full disclosure has been made and that disclosures can be relied upon. The parties get the opinion of a family law expert who can present ideas and alternatives to bridge disputes and facilitate a comprehensive settlement of all property issues. As with early neutral evaluation of parenting issues, the parties take ownership of their lives in lieu of surrendering the ability to determine their own fate to a third party. The parties can agree upon creative resolutions that meet the needs of both parties. The early neutral evaluator can work with the parties to ensure that all issues are resolved to avoid lingering issues or an unworkable result for either party. A settlement through early neutral evaluation ends the legal maneuvers. Agreed upon resolutions are far more likely to bring peace and be honored by both parties as opposed to a court ordered judgment.