There are over 700,000 divorces in the United States each year. Contrary to popular belief, not every divorce is a result of a disagreement, infidelity, etc.
There are plenty of times where two people simply no longer wish to be married to one another. In scenarios like this, the pair often work together in order to ensure that the divorce goes as smoothly as possible.
As you might guess, collaborative divorce has a large number of benefits. Let’s explore some of the most notable.
Less Stress
It should come as no surprise that collaborative divorces are associated with much less stress than the conventional divorce process. In general, messy divorces could cause a large number of complications in someone’s life. This is particularly true if children or another individual are involved. It’s also possible for these issues to bleed over into other areas of your life. For instance, you may find it difficult to remain focused at work while the divorce is ongoing. The same can be said about trying to relax, something that is often much more difficult while you’re dealing with divorce proceedings. In some scenarios, dealing with an increased amount of stress could even lead to health complications. So, keep this in mind moving forward.
More Flexibility With Agreements
By having an amicable split, you have a much greater level of flexibility when it comes to the agreements that you come up with. Most importantly, this prevents the divorce proceedings from heavily favoring one side over the other.
In context, you will likely find that it’s relatively easy to come up with a solution with your former spouse. For example, let’s assume that you are trying to figure out how to manage the custody of both of your children.
There’s a good chance that you can reach a conclusion that both parties are happy with. In other scenarios, you might find that one spouse is granted far less custody than the other.
A Promising Future
A collaborative divorce is an ongoing conversation. One of the most important topics is why the relationship failed.
Regardless or not whether you were at fault, this information can provide powerful insight into how you handle certain situations within relationships. By extension, this can also help you avoid these obstacles in future relationships.
Oftentimes, tumultuous divorces can seem like the end of the world. Many people may begin to think that they will never find another partner, that they are not worthy of somebody else’s time or affection, etc.
This makes the self-reflective aspect of a collaborative divorce an important factor to consider.
Creative Solutions
As previously mentioned, you have a much better chance of the outcome of your divorce being fair if both parties are willing to work with each other. However, you also have the opportunity to come up with creative solutions.
This is primarily due to the fact that you aren’t restricted by legal or technical requirements.
During a situation like this, a collaborative divorce lawyer can help guide you in the right direction if you aren’t quite sure how you should go about finding a solution.
It should come as no surprise that being able to share your genuine feelings with your former partner is both a highly relieving and rewarding process.
Cost Savings
In general, you’ll find that the step of a divorce proceeding is much less expensive than litigation.
More often than not, a typical divorce will cost thousands of dollars in order to complete. This amount can increase exponentially if there are certain disputes.
To clarify, let’s assume that one of the parties involved contests the reason for the divorce. This means that legal proceedings will take longer, leading to a larger overall payment.
The same situation arises if one person has an issue with how alimony, child custody, or child support are awarded. Even if the decisions are notably fair, the other party may dispute these decisions out of spite.
The more issues that divorce goes on trial for, the more you’ll have to pay in order to go through with the proceedings.
A worst-case scenario is dealing with a divorce that has a large number of issues over a long period of time. As you may assume, your life can become much more complex if you are required to pay tens of thousands of dollars for your divorce.
Privacy
More often than not, divorces are best resolved in private settings. Having all of your private grievances publicly aired is something that you should avoid for the sake of your mental health.
In scenarios where abuse or infidelity was involved, reliving these situations in a legal setting can sometimes be traumatic. For this reason, hiring a collaborative divorce attorney is a highly recommended option for those who are looking to avoid the common pitfalls associated with splitting up.
A private separation also allows you to manage the divorce at your own pace. This can drastically improve your overall experience with something that is typically seen as a negative process.
Collaborative Divorce May Still Seem Difficult
The truth is that it is much easier than conventional divorces. So, keep the above information about collaborative divorce in mind so that you can make the decision best for you and your future.
Want to learn more about what we have to offer? Feel free to get in touch with us today and see how we can help.
Anna M. Petronzio, a Cleveland, Ohio collaborative and mediation divorce attorney, co-founded Petronzio Schneier Co., LPA in 1993 after graduating from Catholic University of America (B.A. 1990), Suffolk University Law School (J.D. 1993) and John Carroll University (M.A. 1999). Anna is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar, the Geauga County Bar, the Justinian Form and she practices in Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake counties. Anna is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) and a founding member of the Cleveland Academy of Collaborative Professionals (CACP). Call: 216-381-3400 x107
Email: apetronzio@ps-law.com
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