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The benefits of collaborative divorce

On Behalf of | Oct 13, 2017 | Collaborative Law

By the time a lot of couples in Texas have decided to divorce, it is not unusual for both parties to be experiencing strong emotions. The stress associated with the breakdown of a marriage can make it difficult to talk through issues and come to reasonable agreements regarding property division, spousal support, and child custody.

A traditional divorce proceeding is often adversarial in nature, leading to increased anxieties for couples who are about to begin the process. However, there is an alternative that is becoming more common. In a collaborative divorce, specially trained attorneys sit down with couples to help them work out their issues together.

In many cases, a couple will find a collaborative divorce to be less expensive and emotionally taxing than the traditional kind. Occasionally, other parties, such as financial experts and therapists, may be brought in to facilitate the process.

Some estranged spouses may find that they have an easier time communicating in the presence of supportive third parties. Parents, in particular, may be able to learn new communication skills that they can use as they seek to co-parent their children after the divorce is complete.

Of course, not all couples are candidates for collaborative divorce. In cases where abuse is present, or the couple was unable to agree on anything, the attorneys may be forced to recuse themselves and direct their clients to other legal representation. While this can be disheartening, it sometimes may be the best course of action.

Couples that are considering getting divorced may benefit from speaking with experienced family law attorneys who has training in collaborative law. A lawyer may be able to review a couple’s situation and assess whether they are good candidates for the process.