There’s nothing easy about the process of divorcing, even when the two of you still get along. It’s a difficult and emotional process that’s only made more tricky when you’ve got a family to consider.
A term you might have heard from people you know who have gone through a divorce is something called a “collaborative divorce”. While you might think it sounds like a good idea, you may be looking for some more information on what it means and if it’s the right approach for you.
Collaborative divorce is about working together
As the name suggests, the purpose of a collaborative divorce is for both parties to work together to resolve certain aspects of the separation. This can be done through a process of mediation and negotiations and removes the need for difficult, contentious court proceedings.
Parties are encouraged to find a workable solution for things such as custody arrangements, division of property and child and spousal support.
How do you know if it’s the right choice for you?
For a collaborative divorce to work, both parties need to want it and be prepared to work together to resolve the issues.
This doesn’t mean that you have to be the best of friends but it does mean that you’re willing to put aside your differences to come to an amicable solution.
If you have children, it can be a good way to avoid them having to experience painful divorce proceedings, too.
A collaborative divorce is unlikely to be the right choice for you if your ex-partner has been abusive towards you or is refusing to engage.
In order to facilitate a collaborative divorce and make the negotiations as easy as possible, it’s important to have some legal assistance to help you navigate the process.