Lawyers tell us how many of their clients come in with unrealistic expectations. They want a specific amount of money or property, or a certain arrangement with the children, even though those might not be possible under the law. Or they want to discuss emotional obstacles or parenting concerns that aren’t legal matters. The SDRI screens for all of that so you can immediately bring other professionals on board to support the client. You can focus solely on the legal aspects of the case, while the client gets all the help they need. The complexity score adds huge value, giving lawyers a complete picture of the couple, rather than just the one side you usually get.

With SDRI, you can work with your client to formulate a treatment plan to achieve their goal. You can also easily collaborate with the other professionals on “Team Divorce,” by providing vital information about the client’s mental and emotional state and their readiness to move forward.

People are attracted to mediation because it will save money and be more amicable, but their case may be too complicated or emotionally charged to be suitable. The SDRI complexity report – comparing the readiness of both partners – helps you understand the dynamics of the couple and the family, and also screens for intimate partner violence and power imbalance.

The SDRI report provides key information about property and finances, but also other details that affect the couple’s ability to negotiate: family dynamics and relationship history, levels of trust and goodwill, each person’s perceptions, and their emotional readiness. These may not be topics financial professionals are used to discussing or would know how to raise, but are essential for a successful negotiation.