Many people have a preconceived notion of Divorce proceedings that involves fighting over every piece of furniture, putting the children in the middle of the dispute, and arguing child support down to the penny.  While some divorces do involve litigating every imaginable issue, most do not.  In fact, most divorce cases settle out of court, with varying degrees of disputes.

Collaborative divorce is a newer way of approaching the end of a marriage.  Rather than focusing on disagreements, in a Collaborative Divorce  the parties, along with their lawyers and other experts, work together towards their common goal: ending the marriage in an amicable manner.  There are several benefits to collaborative divorce, including those discussed below.

Collaborative Divorce Benefits Both Parties

All too often, divorce disputes revolve around who “wins” and who “loses.”  In a collaborative divorce, the goal is to resolve the issues in a way that everybody benefits.  The goal is not “winning” but rather, “resolving” the issues of the marriage.  In every divorce, the issues of dividing assets and debts must be addressed.  Where there are minor children, child support and time-sharing are also on the table.  In a collaborative divorce, the parties tackle these tasks as a team.

Collaborative Divorce Employs a Single Set of Experts

In many cases, experts are necessary.  Sometimes they are needed to value a business or evaluate one spouse’s ability to support themselves and their children.  In a traditional divorce, each side hires their own expert to represent their own interests.  In a collaborative divorce, a single expert is used to provide a neutral opinion on the matter, which reduces costs to both sides and eliminates the potential for a “battle of the experts.”

Collaborative Divorce Requires the Input of the Parties

In a traditional divorce, the attorneys for both sides attempt to negotiate the relevant issues.  Often times this requires weeks or even months of debate, as the lawyers communicate back and forth with each other and their clients, in an attempt to resolve the issues.  In a collaborative divorce, the lawyers and their clients meet as a group to amicably resolve their issues.  Unlike the traditional model, this approach allows input in real time, which often leads to a faster resolution.  In many cases,  the parties are more satisfied with the results, as they are actively involved in constructing the final agreement.

Is a Collaborative Divorce Right for You?

Not every couple will find that a collaborative divorce works for them.  Not every family law attorney is qualified to participate in a collaborative divorce.  As a certified Collaborative Divorce Practitioner, Eric C. Cheshire, P.A. offers a collaborative divorce approach to his clients.  With more than 25 years of family law experience, Eric Cheshire can help your family determine what divorce approach is best for you.  Whether your case is best suited for a collaborative divorce, traditional attorney negotiation, or litigation, Eric Cheshire has the experience you need.  Contact the office today to schedule a consultation at 561-655-8844.

For More Information

• How to Stay Focused at Work When You are Going Through a Divorce
• Creative Divorce Solutions: Thinking Outside the Box