Getting divorced can be a painful, messy experience. Emotions tend to run high for both parties, and years of frustrations may come out at once. Even so, some couples understand that divorcing is in the best interest of both parties and work together throughout the divorce. This process of working together, rather than fighting at every turn, is called collaborative divorce or collaborative law. In cases where you disagree with the division of assets or aspects of child custody and support, mediation with a neutral third party may help. Other times, you can sit down together and agree to terms about it all.
In many ways, a collaborative divorce is a best case scenario. It gives you and your former spouse more control over the final divorce decree, including parenting time and asset division. That means that you can create a divorce that is fair and reasonable to both parties, often for much less expense that protracted divorces in court. Even if you and your former spouse are working through the process collaboratively, you still need an attorney’s guidance. Your attorney can help ensure you complete all legal requirements for divorce in Texas while also looking out for your best interests.
Collaborative divorces offer a host of benefits
Being able to agree with your former spouse on the terms of your divorce can make the process better for everyone involved. This is particularly true of families with children. Young children offer struggle through a host of emotional responses during the divorce of their parents. Many of these issues stem from seeing their parents fight, listening to them badmouth one another and feeling like they need to take sides. In many cases, children also feel guilty, like they caused the divorce. Collaborative divorces and mediation help insulate children from the courts and all of that potential emotional damage.
Instead of witnessing parents who are fighting and angry, your children can see you and your former spouse working together for the best interests of everyone involved. Your children won’t have to testify or feel like they are forced to pick a side. Combine that with the increased control over the details and outcome, reduced stress and less cost, and it’s easy to see why collaborative divorces are popular among couples who are able to cooperate and compromise during the divorce process.
An attorney protects you during any kind of divorce
Even if you have the best intentions, your attempt at a collaborative divorce or mediation could go poorly. Having the help of an attorney in the event that you need to go to court is critical. Even if you are able to work things out without the intervention of the family court system, an attorney can still be invaluable. Your attorney can ensure that you aren’t making mistakes or signing anything that could cause financial issues for you in the future. From mediation to finalization, an attorney can guide your collaborative divorce process.
Source: Nov. 30, -0001
