Relying on a judge who may only see a Kentucky couple for a matter of minutes to make decisions on their behalves that will affect the course of their futures does not make much sense for many people. Judges may know the law, but they do not know the dynamics of the families that come through their courtrooms. Moreover, judges are often limited to a certain number of decision-making factors when issuing a ruling.

Couples who decide to stay out of the courtroom can often design a settlement that includes ideas that are more tailored to their needs. In fact, as long as they do not violate any Kentucky family laws or public policies, couples may consider solutions that are more “outside the box” than judges can offer. This often results in more satisfying settlements, which each party may be more willing to adhere to in the future.

When getting down to brass tacks, divorce is about making financial arrangements and determining custody arrangements. Emotions have little to do with this process. The more that each party can keep his or her mind focused on establishing as secure a future as possible for him or herself and any children involved, the better off everyone will be.

Source: Forbes, “A Fairy Tale Divorce: America’s Struggle With Breaking Up“, Stephan Rabimov, July 17, 2017