Benefits of Collaborative Law Divorce

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Illinois family law attorney

Not every divorce is decided in the courtroom. Some couples instead choose to complete their divorces privately, either through mediation or a collaborative law divorce. Each of these options are a type of alternative dispute resolution and each has its own benefits and drawbacks for divorcing couples.

In a collaborative law divorce, a couple maintains the highest amount of control over the proceedings. The couple and their attorneys work together to draft a fair divorce settlement that meets all involved parties' needs. This type of divorce is best suited to couples with amicable relationships who are not divorcing because of adultery, domestic violence, or other volatile grounds.

Talk to your attorney about the possibility of divorcing through collaboration. He or she can give you legal advice tailored to your unique situation to help you decide the best course of action for your divorce. Remember, although collaborative divorce can be a great option, it is not always the best option. Speak to your attorney about reasons why collaborative divorce might or might not be right for you.

Financial Aspects of Collaborative Law Divorce

You, your spouse, and your attorneys will work together to examine the circumstances surrounding your divorce and your individual needs to determine the best way to divide your assets and determine if spousal maintenance is necessary and if so, an appropriate amount and length of time for it. The involvement of financial advisers in the process can also help you, as a couple, determine the most financial advantageous options regarding concerns such as tax liabilities and other obligations.

In addition, a collaborative divorce is generally less expensive than a divorce completed through litigation. You can potentially save thousands of dollars in attorney fees, meetings, hearings, and court costs by choosing collaborative law divorce.

Mental Health Benefits of Collaborative Law Divorce

In many cases, couples who choose collaborative divorce report higher levels of satisfaction with their divorce settlements and better relationships with each other than couples who divorce through litigation. This is often because of the increased control that the couple has over their divorce in a collaborative law situation. Instead of leaving the terms of their settlement up to the court, the couple has the opportunity to discuss their goals for the divorce and their needs and work together to draft a settlement that meets these needs.

Working with Parenting Professionals

If you are a parent, you should develop a parenting plan with your former spouse. This plan will include guidelines for your child's care in the coming years, such as his or her education, religious upbringing, medical care, and time spent with each parent.

It can be easier to develop this parenting plan by working with a parenting professional, such as a child psychologist, to determine a parenting plan that fully meets your child's needs. These needs can change as your child matures, so it is important that you continue to work with your former partner to effectively parent your child for years after your divorce.

DuPage County Divorce Lawyer

With nearly a decade of experience, Attorney Matthew M. Williams can help you with your collaborative divorce. Contact a knowledgeable divorce attorney in Aurora today at 630-409-8184 to schedule your initial consultation. We have helped hundreds of clients reach workable divorce agreements through collaborative law and look forward to working with you.