The Traditional Divorce process is Litigation. It involves both parties going to court on a designated date (sometimes there is a long wait), often to reach conclusions on contested areas of the divorce. For example, many divorcing couples and their lawyers use the Litigation process to reach conclusions on child custody, financial support, and divided assets. A judge will then make the final decision based on the testimony and information provided to them. As with Collaborative Divorce, some outside professionals may be brought in to supply further counseling and information, although their fees are often much higher when court is involved.
The Litigation divorce process can take months or even a year, which is why it is undesirable for many. It also comes with attorney fees that make it the most expensive option. For those who are struggling financially or simply want to get divorced and move forward with their lives, Litigation is often seen as a last-resort choice.