If you are contemplating divorce, you and your spouse may be thinking about your options, such as how to avoid litigation and whether you should pursue mediation or collaborative divorce. Both approaches have their respective advantages and disadvantages, so the method you choose should depend on your unique circumstances. Here is some information intended to help you make the right choice for you and to distinguish between the collaborative approach and mediation.
Choosing the right method: Collaborative divorce vs. mediation
How to talk to your spouse about collaborative divorce
When a marriage is ending, discussing divorce with your spouse can seem an insurmountable mountain to climb. The different options to traditional litigation, like mediation or collaborative divorce can be a less adversarial and supportive to a long term relationship; yet the topic is very difficult to bring up and have an honest discussion about with your soon to be ex-spouse. Here are some tips on opening up a dialogue about some of the benefits of the collaborative process. Hopefully, some of these ideas will make an insurmountable mountain seem easier to climb.
The financial benefits of collaborative divorce
Collaborative divorce is a way for couples to divorce in a non-adversarial environment. Unlike mediation, which employs a neutral party to help couples resolve differences and legally end their marriage, collaborative divorce involves four parties. Each spouse is represented by an attorney who has their best interests in mind and has also agreed not to go to trial.
How the collaborative divorce process can benefit your children
When a marriage ends, it is difficult for the entire family. A heated court dispute only makes an emotionally painful situation worse. There are certainly situations when litigation is the most appropriate avenue to resolve an issue. However, when a family is involved, it is often not the best path to resolution. The collaborative process offers families a less adversarial approach to divorce and changing the family unit.
