St. Louis Family Lawyer Discusses Collaborative Divorce

What is a Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative divorce is a better, more amicable, problem-solving approach to the divorce process. It enables couples, especially those with children, to work out their problems legally yet peacefully.

In collaborative divorces, the couple and their respective attorneys meet four-way for meetings, during which all financial discussions and negotiations, children’s custody, and other legal matters are discussed and sorted out amicably.

They decide to jointly clear any financial matters, estate divisions, and evaluations of assets and losses and even arrive at a parenting plan for their children, if any.

Collaborative Divorce and Mental Health

Divorce can be stressful and emotionally damaging. The collaborative divorce process may include mental health specialists, who, along with the attorneys, can help the couple deal with the mental stress associated with divorce. These specialists aim to create an atmosphere conducive to productive negotiation and help the couple resolve the divorce without any emotional conflict.

Do Collaborative Divorces Go to Trial?

The key aspect of a collaborative divorce is that it never goes to trial. In collaborative divorce cases, the concerned parties have to sign a participation agreement that if they are unsuccessful in completing the collaborative divorce for any reason, the lawyers will not take the case to court, and the couple will have to appoint new lawyers to complete the collaborative divorce and further proceedings. This way, both the parties, including the attorneys, focus on a peaceful and fair collaborative divorce settlement.

Positives of a Collaborative Divorce

Comparatively, collaborative divorces are better than traditional divorces, and the positives are many:

• Collaborative divorces are problem-solving, peaceful, and a non-adversarial approach to divorce.
• It enables a couple to control the costs of getting a divorce and even the pace of the divorce.
• It prevents sensitive issues like financial matters and relationship issues from going public.
• Unlike traditional divorce cases, the couple, rather than the judge, decides the fate of the divorce.
• A collaborative divorce also enables a more amicable relationship between the couple post-divorce.

With so many positives, collaborative divorces have become a preferred choice among many couples seeking divorce. Couples seeking divorce should consider collaborative divorce as a better option than traditional divorce and hire a St. Louis divorce lawyer who is experienced in handling collaborative divorces.

St. Louis Family Law Attorney

Hundreds of questions come to mind as the stark reality of divorce settles in. As a firm, we aim to help you find the answers to those questions and begin the next phase of your life with as much ease as possible. We are dedicated to providing our clients and their families with kind, personalized, and professional legal representation throughout the divorce process.