Ideally, every divorcing couple will eventually be able to come to terms over their split and negotiate a fair agreement about everything from the division of the marital assets to custody of the children.
Sometimes, however, that’s just not possible. A judge has to get involved in these decisions. If you and your spouse still want a more controlled environment than you’ll find at the local courthouse, it may be wisest to consider hiring a private judge for your divorce. Here are the key benefits.
Enhanced privacy
When you have significant marital assets, a particular standing in your community or a professional reputation you want to protect, you may not relish the idea of a protracted – and public – court battle. A private judge conducts their proceedings behind closed doors, and that can keep your financial and personal matters out of the public eye.
Flexible scheduling
Trying to juggle your professional life and multiple court hearings can be difficult for a lot of people. When you have a tight schedule, a private judge can accommodate evening and weekend meetings or hearings, something that isn’t possible in the public court’s schedule.
Enhanced efficiency
If you want to get through the divorce process quickly, a private judge is the way to go. The regular court system is burdened with overloaded dockets and scheduling conflicts. Since a private judge generally only handles a few cases at a time, you can usually schedule key proceedings in a matter of days or weeks rather than months.
Personalized attention
When you go through the public court system to resolve an issue, you can generally expect “cookie-cutter” solutions that lack customization. When you work with a private judge, there’s usually more flexibility with solutions, and everything can be tailored to best fit your family’s unique needs.
If you and your spouse are open to working together on your divorce but still need someone to make a few decisions, it may be worth discussing the option of a private judge.