Collaborative divorce is a cooperative process where spouses commit to resolving all of their disagreements outside of court. As is true of any divorce scenario, both spouses typically need their own attorneys to ensure they understand their rights and have someone looking out for their best interests.
To overcome divorce disagreements without litigating, spouses may need to work with multiple professionals in addition to their individual lawyers. What professionals may play an important role in facilitating a collaborative divorce?
1. Mediators
Spouses often have different expectations for property division and custody. A mediator can help spouses work through their disagreements and find ways to compromise on the terms they set. Multiple mediation sessions are sometimes necessary for couples to work through their disagreements and reach mutually agreeable terms for a collaborative divorce.
2. Parenting coordinators or counselors
Parents sometimes let their own emotions influence how they handle custody disagreements. Parenting professionals, ranging from co-parenting counselors to parenting coordinators, can help parents work through their disagreements and determine what specific arrangements are in the best interests of their children.
3. Financial advisors
It can be difficult to negotiate a property division settlement due to tax issues, fluctuations in asset valuation and other common complications. Financial advisors can conduct a review of income and resources, as well as financial obligations. They can help people minimize the tax implications of divorce and arrange terms that are truly fair for dividing both property and marital debts.
Having the right support can make a collaborative divorce more likely to succeed. Spouses often save money in the long run despite the need to hire additional professionals to successfully collaborate on divorce issues.
