It's rare to see couples who are divorcing in the same room, getting along and compromising. Usually, splitting spouses approach one another in the stereotypical acrimonious fashion and duke it out in court. But for those who are committed to a civil - and more private -- divorce, there's another option. Collaborative divorce offers an environment in which spouses and their legal counsel work out every detail together - instead of in an adversarial fashion. Not only does the team include lawyers, but it also includes a neutral financial specialist, divorce coach and child custody specialist, if applicable. Each attorney collects information on behalf of his or her client and presents it to the group, adding his or her recommendations.
From there, negotiations occur in a calm fashion, and the couple is handed off to the applicable specialists who can help iron out custody issues and financial arrangements. The divorce coach, who has been trained in mediation, helps each spouse adjust to post-divorce life, including facilitating communication and managing emotions. One of the major benefits of collaborative divorce is its cost - collaborative divorce can be much cheaper for both parties, instead of hiring two legal sides and the experts each spouse may need on his or her side. Negotiations typically happen in an attorney's office instead of a court of law, offering privacy to couples who need it. As of late, celebrities seem to be opting for this type of divorce, seemingly for the privacy benefit. Madonna and Guy Ritchie, Robin Williams and Marsha Garces, and supposedly Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise have chosen collaborative divorce. Is it for you? Collaborativepractice.com can help you find an attorney in your area who can help.