Divorce can be a complex and emotionally challenging transition. Even when people resolve to work amicably together, there may be challenges in navigating the process of ending a marriage. This is one reason why Pennsylvania couples often choose the Collaborative Process for their divorce. In the Collaborative Divorce Process, you and your spouse work together, along with your professional team, to reach a mutually beneficial settlement.
Collaborative Divorce is designed to give you more control over your final divorce settlement than you would have in traditional processes such as litigation. Your professional team will provide all of the support you need to gather information and understand your options for moving forward. Before you begin the Collaborative Divorce Process, it may be helpful to learn more about what you can expect and how you can seek the best possible outcome for yourself and your family.
Tips for successful collaboration
Collaboration is a non-adversarial approach to divorce. It involves spouses working together, with the support of the professional team, to reach an agreement on all divorce-related matters, including co-parenting, income sharing, and property distribution. If you choose this option, the following considerations may help you as you navigate the process:
- In the Collaborative Process, you will work with professionals who will help you to gather the information you need, consider options, and make reasoned and sustainable agreements. Participating professionals may include a neutral financial professional, a licensed mental health professional, a child specialist, and real estate professionals.
- Collaboration offers you the chance to craft a settlement that is best suited to your family’s unique situation, which may include such things as a non-traditional work schedule, your children’s special needs, extended family obligations, and many others.
- The nature of collaboration can help you to develop a communication strategy with the other spouse that may allow you to develop useful co-parenting skills during and after the divorce.
- The Collaborative professional team will help you to effectively communicate your interests and goals for the future, and help you and your spouse to find solutions that are both practical and sustainable.
The Collaborative Process allows you to focus on the future, and allows you to make decisions that will make the most sense long-term for you and your family.