Collaborative divorce serves as an option for divorcing couples which allows them to circumvent a court case trial. This saves time and money, as well as protecting the personal information of those involved.
But does it work for everyone? Or do only some couples have what they need to make collaboration work for them?
Primary areas of discussion
Collaborative divorce has its benefits in some cases. In the context of divorce, collaboration involves the hiring of personal representatives who will stand in for their clients, i.e. the two parties of the divorcing couple.
Together, these four parties will work toward a mutually agreeable decision, smoothing out any arguments or disputes that exist in any area of the divorce. Matters of discussion will usually involve things like alimony or child support payments, custody or visitation arrangements, and the division of debts or assets shared by both during the lifespan of the marriage.
Arguments still happen. Personal representatives are not mediators, however, so they will not often work with couples who cannot seem to get along at all. They may actually suggest for a particularly argumentative couple to hire a mediator to help, but some couples cannot make things work even then.
Will it work for you?
A couple that constantly argues and cannot come to any compromise on crucial aspects of the divorce may have to look for an alternative method, as collaboration may simply not work for them. Fortunately, other options exist. And for those who can make collaboration work, they will enjoy the benefits afforded by saving money and time by not taking a case to court.