Separating from a partner with whom you’ve committed to spending the rest of your life is never easy. At The Christie Law Firm, we provide representation to individuals going through the divorce process. While divorce has the potential to be highly contentious and even litigious, it can also be collaborative.

If you are curious about how collaborative divorce works and whether or not it may be the right choice for you and your spouse, please reach out to The Christie Law Firm, LLC directly for the legal support you can trust.

What Is a Collaborative Divorce?

Rather than just being a traditional divorce in which couples work together to reach a settlement, a collaborative divorce refers to a distinct legal process. This newer method for resolving tough issues in a divorce—including child custody, child support, property division, and spousal support—requires that both parties agree from the beginning to avoid the court system throughout the process.

In addition to signing a no-court agreement, both parties will hire their own lawyers for representation; lawyers agree to withdraw from the case should it turn to litigation. Parties also enter an agreement that stipulates they will use collaborative methods to resolve things.

What Are the Advantages of a Collaborative Divorce?

There are many advantages to choosing collaborative divorce vs. traditional divorce. Some of the top reasons that people choose collaborative divorce include:

• Controlled pace of divorce cases. During a collaborative divorce, the pace at which the divorce proceeds will be in the hands of you and your spouse—no one else. This allows you the time you need to fully understand each issue that needs to be resolved in the divorce and do the research and investigation necessary to build your case.
• Support from experts. One of the hallmark features of collaborative divorce is that each party to a divorce will assemble a group of experts and specialists to help inform their position. For example, your divorce team may include a financial specialist, a child specialist if you have any children, and perhaps a divorce coach. These professionals provide insight and guidance that you otherwise wouldn’t have access to.
• Prioritizes communication and good-faith negotiations. Rather than creating a scenario where there is one winner and one loser, collaborative divorce fosters an environment where both parties are working to achieve a win-win solution that works for everyone. Through this model, negotiations are done in good faith; not simply to win or take something from the other party. Healthy communication is at the foundation of collaborative divorce.
• Allows for retained decision-making power. While going to court and litigating a divorce may yield an outcome that works for you, this isn’t always the case. Indeed, heading to court is always a gamble. On the other hand, with a collaborative divorce, you and your spouse are in charge of the outcome.
• Alleviates stress and conflict. Litigating a divorce is very stressful, not to mention expensive and time-consuming. A collaborative divorce is often considered a more peaceful and less stressful way to terminate a marriage.
• Protects privacy. Collaborative divorces, and the documents and outcome of a collaborative divorce, are not public; they are completely private. If protecting your privacy is important to you, then avoiding the court system is essential.
• Protects children and prioritizes co-parenting. For parents who are divorcing, the collaborative divorce process can protect young children from unnecessary conflict and help to prioritize a co-parenting arrangement that focuses on the child having parenting time with both parents. The stress of a traditional, contentious divorce can be damaging to a child psychologically.
• Leads to healthier relationships post-divorce. There are many reasons why you and your spouse may need to continue a relationship post-divorce, including shared interests in children, property, or other friends or family. A collaborative divorce can lead to a healthier relationship after the divorce is complete.

Collaborative Divorce with The Christie Law Firm, LLC

As mentioned above, it is very important that each party to a collaborative divorce have their own legal representation, who will help them to assemble a team of experts, understand the law, and collaboratively negotiate a divorce settlement. If one or both parties decide to terminate the collaborative agreement and pursue litigation, lawyers will resign from the case.

At The Christie Law Firm, LLC, our experienced Hartford divorce attorney has represented clients involved in both the collaborative and traditional divorce processes. If you are looking for an attorney who is knowledgeable, skilled, and will advocate for your best interests, call our law firm today. You can reach us at (860) 461-7494, by sending us a message using the contact form on our website, or by visiting our law office in person at your convenience.