Divorces can be messy, expensive and frustrating, but they don’t have to be. People have started to look for good or peaceful divorce solutions, and many of them turn to collaborative divorce.
In a traditional, litigated divorce, spouses are opponents who try to defeat one another by securing more property or more time with the children. This approach causes numerous issues. Obviously, the more contentious things get, the longer the divorce might take. Additionally, an antagonistic approach to divorce will make interactions between former spouses particularly difficult.
Collaborative divorce is a solution that is likely to be far more peaceful and mutually beneficial than a litigated divorce. Can a collaborative divorce benefit you and your ex?
Collaborative divorce puts you in the driver’s seat
Unless you have a marital agreement, a litigated divorce leaves most of the major issues in the hands of a judge. You don’t control the allocation of parenting time or the division of your marital property. A judge with an outside perspective is the one who decides all of those major issues.
When you collaborate with your ex, you control the terms of the settlements. Each of you will be in a position to advocate for what is most important to you.
Collaborative divorce minimizes your court time
When you litigate your marital issues, you have to present evidence or testimony to the courts. Testifying about your marital issues can be a source of embarrassment. It can also lead to hours or days in court.
When you collaborate with your ex instead, your time in court will be minimal. A judge will simply have to review and approve the settlement you reach. You won’t have to talk about marital misconduct or any other issues in a setting where those details could become part of the public record. Keeping your court time as minimal as possible will reduce our costs and protect your privacy.
Collaborative divorce can help you rebuild a functional relationship
Perhaps both of you have strong ties to the local community, so you will occasionally see one another at social events in the future. A collaborative divorce can help you end on a positive or at least neutral note, making future interactions less awkward or emotional.
If you have children with one another, a collaborative divorce can help you start relating to one another as co-parents rather than ex-spouses, which could make shared custody less stressful for your children.
Learning more about collaborative divorce can help you decide if it’s the right choice for your family.