Going through a divorce can be a stressful experience because negotiating matters like spousal support and property division is often adversarial in nature. That is why many estranged couples in Michigan and around the country are turning to alternative approaches like collaborative divorce. Collaborative divorce proceedings are designed to help divorcing spouses resolve their differences in an amicable manner, and they can prevent public and costly court battles.
No litigation
Before collaborative divorce sessions begin, both spouses agree not to go to court. Spouses are represented by attorneys during the sessions, but they must find new lawyers if they fail to reach an agreement and decide to pursue litigation. When particularly thorny matters like child custody or dividing retirement savings are discussed during collaborative divorce sessions, financial specialists, child psychologists or other experts may be called upon to help spouses find an amicable resolution.
A successful approach
The collaborative approach to divorce was pioneered by a Minnesota family law attorney in the 1990s, and it can be very effective. There are now thousands of attorneys in the United States who have received collaborative divorce training, and they have helped more than 20,000 couples settle their differences without going to court.
Saving time and money
Contentious divorces can be very expensive and drag on for months. Conversely, collaborative divorce can prevent bitter legal disputes and save divorcing couples time and money, but the approach only works when both spouses are willing to put their feelings aside and negotiate in good faith. If either spouse is unable to let go of their anger and hostility, collaborative divorce sessions are unlikely to be successful.