Although most television dramas depict divorce proceedings as highly-contentious matters, the majority of divorces in the U.S. are now resolved on a collaborative basis. A collaborative divorce process does not require judicial intervention. Instead, spouses work with their divorce attorney and/or each other to reach mutually-agreeable terms regarding property division and child custody (if applicable).

The collaborative divorce process is usually a preferable way to approach divorce. It is generally much cheaper than the traditional contentious process, yet it still allows spouses to benefit from assistance with filling out the necessary paperwork and negotiating favorable divorce terms.

It also allows spouses to retain control of what happens to their property and their kids. Few people like when the government interferes in their lives in any way, so it isn’t surprising that most people prefer to keep the state away from their divorce proceedings.

Finally, if the couple seeking a divorce has minor children, taking a collaborative approach to this process can set the stage for a fruitful co-parenting situation moving forward. Co-parents don’t always agree on what is best for their children. By learning how to work through their differences in a post-relationship setting, a couple can learn some positive things about how they’ll want to approach co-parenting disputes down the road. 

Moving forward with a collaborative divorce

Most couples are in a strong position to engage in the collaborative process. If you have good reason to hope that you and your spouse can keep your divorce process collaborative, it’s time to seek a divorce attorney that will best suit your needs.