Many people consider divorce to be a messy and painful process in California. This is especially true for couples who cannot see eye-to-eye about how to divide their assets and property. However, collaborative divorce is one method that can help a couple to end a marriage in a more amicable manner.
Collaborative divorce focuses heavily on conflict resolution. This process is known for saving people money, time and heartache. In a collaborative divorce, both people have separate attorneys who help them settle their dispute. All of the parties agree that they will work toward a mutually satisfactory settlement in good faith. Other experts may also be involved in the process, such as appraisers, financial experts and mental-health consultants.
Divorce has traditionally been treated like separating two people in a business-related deal or car accident victims. In these situations, the two parties can easily go their own separate ways after the matter has been addressed. However, when kids are involved in a divorce, the children’s parents must continue to interact with each other long after the divorce has been finalized.
A chief goal of collaborative divorce in California is to place the children at the top of the priority list, focusing on their best interests. The two people getting divorced can also use the collaborative divorce process to learn how to communicate with each other so that they can co-parent effectively with each other down the road. Proper legal guidance may help a divorcing individual achieve the most personally favorable result while considering the needs of the other party and the rest of the family.
Source: philly.com, “‘Collaborative divorce’ can save time and money”, Debra Denison Cantor and Ann V. Levin, July 3, 2015