For many divorcing couples, ending their marriage in a way that will be beneficial to both sides can seem like an impossible task. For divorcing couples with children, the process often becomes even more complicated when the topic of custody arises. Luckily, collaborative divorce offers a new way for former spouses to think about divorce.

Work Together with Collaborative Divorce

When most people think about divorce they conjure images of angry and hurt people taking their case to court because they can't come to an agreement. And while litigation is an option for many couples, it doesn't mean heading to court is the right choice for everyone.

There are many different ways to approach the divorce process that can help keep things civil between former spouses and their children. In fact, collaborative divorce is a great option for couples who understand that their marriage is over but still want to end it in a respectful manner.

How It Works

With collaborative divorce, both parties still have their own separate divorce attorney. What makes this process different from others is that both attorneys work together, along with therapists and divorce coaches, to help find the best outcome for everyone.

These individual teams will help everyone work on their communication skills to make sure the collaborative divorce process goes quickly and smoothly. Each team works to advise and gently guide their clients through the division of assets that is favorable for each family member. When dealing with tough issues like division of finances, custody/legal guardianship, or alimony, each team member does everything in their power to avoid taking the case to court.

The Right Choice for Your Family

With many traditional divorce cases that go to litigation, it is hard to find a clear "winner." Both sides can feel helpless after spending months, sometimes years, waiting for a final decision on the divorce terms to be handed down by a judge. Alternatively, collaborative divorce leaves the final decisions up to you.

Divorce is not only hard on former spouses, but on family and friends as well. Children often have it the worst during the divorce process, and in many cases, they can be left to deal with their confusion and pain on their own. With the help of therapists and divorce coaches, children can get the attention they need, while parents learn to effectively coparent during and after the divorce is finalized. Speak with a lawyer from a firm like J. Scott Braden for more information about collaborative divorce.