In a collaborative divorce, the parties work toward achieving a satisfactory settlement as part of a team.
The process helps to establish both short-term and long-term goals, and an effective collaboration helps to form the foundation for family relationships going forward.
Minimizing conflict
Collaborative divorce is a form of alternative dispute resolution that emphasizes negotiation in place of litigation. When couples agree to this kind of process, they find it reduces conflict and stress. Parents appreciate that private divorce negotiations handled outside of court are much easier on the children than the often contentious battles that can take place during litigation.
Sharing information
Working with their own attorneys trained in collaborative divorce procedures, the parties exchange information voluntarily. They can agree on the use of legal procedures that reduce the expense of a divorce and simplify the process. The team can expand to include outside professionals such as accountants, appraisers, childcare specialists and others who can help the couple resolve sticking points and move forward on the path to completing their divorce agreement.
Building a foundation
Transparency results from the free exchange of information and airing of opinions in collaborative divorce. Couples who choose to participate in this process find that learning to communicate respectfully and openly is essential to building and maintaining post-divorce family relationships. From establishing a timesharing schedule for raising their children to working out the concerns relative to property division, collaborative divorce reflects the needs and desires of a couple ending one phase of their lives and beginning another. It is an effective option that helps form a foundation for future family relationships.
