At least 50 percent of married couples will get a divorce. Over the years it's been done in the same manner -- two clients and two lawyers.
A custody battle, a fight over finances, and anger could make the divorce proceedings extremely nasty. Usually one side loses, perhaps both. But what if both sides could win? The Furneys say they won by taking an alternative route to get a divorce.
Anna and Chris Furney play tennis together, have three great kids, and share a busy online calendar. They are not married. They're happily divorced.
"It's taken, obviously, many years to get to this," said Chris Furney.
They split in 2007 in what they both say started out extremely contentious.
"It looked really bad then. I mean, it was, there were some really cloudy days, some really awful days," said Chris.
They did finally agree on one thing they didn't want; a Furney family sequel to the 80s black comedy, War of the Roses. The Gurneys re-wrote the script and chucked the traditional divorce lawyer. They went with something more couples are doing; a divorce that is called integrated, innovative, sometimes collaborative.
"It's a collaboration, it's not combat," said Anna Furney.
Instead of pitting one side against another in a lawyer's office, everyone sits down together. No lawyers are present. Instead, it's a financial planner and a family counselor. They work for both sides to come up with a divorce plan that everyone can live with.
"They give you approaches for solving disagreements, just, you know, to try to let the emotion dissipate. And then if we couldn't decide they would have us step back and understand, like, really how important is this to you," said Chris.
With no court deadlines, they worked slowly on a plan to figure out what to do with the house, their retirement fund and custody options. Once a plan was formed, they did a test drive.
"We tried different schedules with the kids changed those up a little bit. We got to practice pick ups and drop offs," said Chris.
Bob Bordett is a financial planner who runs Divorce Innovations where the goal is to get divorcing couples to work together.
"I have a couple that is just really starting the process. They met the other day and they were talking about certain issues and living arrangements and all of a sudden a light went off, 'Oh, you know what, we can do this and we can do this, and here's how we handle that.' Something they've never thought of," said Bordett.
The Furneys say they were never able to save their marriage but this kinder, gentler divorce helped them save their relationship.
"And now we're actually able to treat each other with a lot of respect and we've actually become friends again," said Anna.
The Furneys say they spent a total of three hours with attorneys to finalize their plan. It was a plan they agreed to. They feel like they saved a lot of money going this route.
Here are a few links to organizations that offer alternative divorces:
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:42 GMT
The City Council of Chamblee has delayed a controversial land rezoning variance. The Council also issued a preliminary resolution saying that they wanted to fire their own manager.
The City Council of Chamblee has delayed a controversial land rezoning variance. The Council also issued a preliminary resolution saying that they wanted to fire their own manager.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:03 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:03:25 GMT
We all get excited about leaving town and going on vacation, so we tend to tell everyone about it. But, a word of caution before spreading the good news.
We all get excited about leaving town and going on vacation, so we tend to tell everyone about it. But, a word of caution before spreading the good news.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:13 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:13:04 GMT
Pomegranate juice has been sold as a real 'cure-all' over the last couple of years. But in a decision made this month, the FTC has ordered at least one manufacturer to back off on its strong health claims.
Pomegranate juice has been sold as a real 'cure-all' over the last couple of years. But in a decision made this month, the Federal Trade Commission has ordered at least one manufacturer to back off some pretty strong health claims.
Friday, June 14 2013 8:56 AM EDT2013-06-14 12:56:09 GMT
Retailers got the go-ahead to pass along some extra charges to you, but not without some rules attached. You might not have noticed them just yet, but you should be on the lookout.
Retailers got the go-ahead to pass along some extra charges to you, but not without some rules attached. You might not have noticed them just yet, but you should be on the lookout.
Thursday, June 13 2013 3:29 PM EDT2013-06-13 19:29:22 GMT
A man once hailed as a military hero was arrested on Wednesday. Former Holly Springs Police Officer Shane Ladner is accused of tricking people into thinking that he received a Purple Heart for being wounded in battle.
A man once hailed as a military hero was arrested on Wednesday. Former Holly Springs Police Officer Shane Ladner is accused of tricking people into thinking that he received a Purple Heart for being wounded in battle.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 11:36 PM EDT2013-06-13 03:36:50 GMT
Tonight at 10, FOX 5 I-Team reporter Randy Travis shows how long it took a local sheriff to finally arrest a repeat horse abuser – even after state inspectors had spent years trying to stop the abuse!
Tonight at 10, FOX 5 I-Team reporter Randy Travis shows how long it took a local sheriff to finally arrest a repeat horse abuser – even after state inspectors had spent years trying to stop the abuse!
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-06-12 13:07:42 GMT
You may have noticed – or, at least heard – that mortgage rates are starting to inch up again. The I-Team's Dana Fowle is here to help you understand what this change means for home buyers right now.
You may have noticed – or, at least heard – that mortgage rates are starting to inch up again. The I-Team's Dana Fowle is here to help you understand what this change means for home buyers right now.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:56 AM EDT2013-06-18 09:56:03 GMT
Eager to cash in on the recent run of good news about the Stock Market, but you don't know how to get started? Here's how!
Eager to cash in on the recent run of good news about the Stock Market, but you don't know how to get started? Good Day Atlanta goes to the pros for answers!
Monday, June 17 2013 10:08 AM EDT2013-06-17 14:08:03 GMT
Now, it's time to get ‘phine' – and, yes, that's with a ‘P-H.' Fitness trainer Apollo Nida is here to help you get those arms and legs in tip-top shape for summer!
Now, it's time to get ‘phine' – and, yes, that's with a ‘P-H.' Fitness trainer Apollo Nida is here to help you get those arms and legs in tip-top shape for summer!
