Making the Most of a Collaborative Divorce

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Collaborative Law

Supermarket tabloids and social media feeds are frequently full of divorce horror stories—usually involving celebrities—in which the proceedings drag on for months because the parties cannot see eye-to-eye on virtually anything. You probably even know someone personally whose spouse refused to cooperate, leading to expensive delays and long-term uncertainty. In addition to the added costs, the emotional strain on a family in such a situation can be tremendous, and in some case, almost unbearable. There is, however, no reason to subject yourself and your family to the dangers of that type of divorce, especially when a collaborative divorce may be an option.

The Collaborative Process

A collaborative divorce is a team-oriented approach to ending a marriage that looks to avoid taking the matter into the courtroom. In fact, as part of the agreement to collaborate, the attorneys for you and your spouse contractually agree to withdraw as your representation should you decide that collaborative divorce is not working, and litigation is necessary. This creates an incentive of sorts to reach a resolution without spending additional money on new lawyers.

The collaborative divorce team consists of more than legal counsel for each party. It will also include a number of specialists and experts in fields appropriate to your needs. These may include a divorce coach, a parenting coach, financial professionals, licensed mental health practitioners. Each member of the team is intended to address concerns and issues relevant to his or her area of proficiency.

How Does It Help?

Put simply, collaborative divorce eliminates excuses. Your spouse cannot claim that he or she needs to review his or her financials; your financial professional can help. Similarly, your attorneys, along with your divorce coach can assist you in preparing well in advance for each step of the process. If you are having trouble expressing what you need, a mental health or parenting expert may be able to provide objective guidance. By remaining focused and committed to a positive outcome, you and your spouse can reach a workable agreement within a reasonable timeframe, reducing unnecessary costs associated with ongoing delays.

Get the Answers You Need

If you would like to learn more about collaborative divorce and the possible benefits it may offer, contact an experienced DuPage County divorce lawyer. Attorney Matthew M. Williams is a trained collaborative divorce attorney who is ready to assist you in achieving the divorce outcome you deserve. Call 630-409-8184 to schedule a confidential consultation today.

Source:

http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2013/08/19/why-a-collaborative-divorce-makes-financial-sense