If you are planning on ending your marriage, there are several ways that you can come to a final divorce settlement with your spouse. One option may be to work in a collaborative fashion as opposed to asking a New Jersey judge to craft a final ruling. Let’s take a closer look as to whether this is a worthwhile option in your case.
Do you communicate well with your spouse?
A collaborative divorce may not be appropriate for those who don’t believe that they can effectively communicate with their spouses. This is because each party to the proceeding will need to speak openly and honestly about what they want or need from a final settlement. If you don’t feel safe being in the presence of your estranged partner, it’s unlikely that you will be able to work toward an agreement that contains equitable terms.
Do you share children with your spouse?
One of the potential benefits of a collaborative divorce is that it forces you to think about what your life will be like after your marriage is officially dissolved. If you share children, you will likely need to interact with the other parent for many years after this occurs.
Therefore, a collaborative divorce may serve as a test run for how you will get along with your child’s other parent over the long run. It can also serve as a template for how you will resolve problems that are sure to arise as you raise your son or daughter.
It’s also worth noting that coming to a settlement outside of court may shield your kids from the toxic side of a divorce. That may be enough on its own to strongly consider a collaborative process as opposed to an adversarial one.
If you are seeking a divorce, it may be easier to work with your spouse as opposed to taking a more adversarial approach. Opting for a collaborative divorce may make it easier to get the settlement terms that you want in a timely and affordable manner.
