Do it yourself divorce

Mediation

Arbitration

Collaborative Divorce

Litigation

Most flexible and informal

Flexible and informal

Formal

Less flexible than a do it yourself divorce and mediation, but more flexible than arbitration and a court case

Formal

How fast the settlement agreement is reached depends on the parties

Typically a faster process than the collaborative process, some arbitrations and a court case. Varies by case

Typically a faster process than  collaborative divorce, some mediations and a court case.  Varies by case

Typically a longer process than mediation, and arbitration but may be faster than a court case

Typically, longer the longest of the methods

The least expensive of all the methods

Least expensive of the alternative resolution methods

Less expensive than a court hearing and collaborative divorce, but more expensive that mediation

More expensive than mediation and arbitration, but less expensive than a court case.

The most expensive of all the methods

All decisions and agreements are made by the parties

All decisions and agreements are made by the parties

All decisions made by the arbitrator.  The parties have little if any input in the decision.

Decisions and agreements are made by the parties and their attorney's

Decisions are made by the judge or Jury.  The parties have no input to the decision and are bound to it.

The parties have total control of the process

The mediator facilitates the process, but does not advocate on behalf of either party.  The parties retain control of the process

The arbitrator's decision is binding

Decisions are made based on recommendations made by the collaborative team

Parties have the least control of all the methods

A private process

A private process

Typically a private process

A private process

A public process

Typically there are no attorneys

There are no requirements for a change of attorney

There are no requirements for a change of attorney

Parties sign an agreement not to go to court.  Both attorneys are eliminated from the case if either party wants to go to court or a settlement is not reached

There are no requirements for a change of attorney