Tips to Help You Avoid Trouble During Your Collaborative Divorce
Unlike in prior decades, when couples were forced to provide evidence of fault in order to obtain a divorce, litigation is no longer necessary when it comes to dissolving a marriage. Instead, couples have the option of attempting other means of ending a marriage, such as collaborative divorce. Unlike litigated divorces, collaborative divorces encourage communication and negotiation between parties, which can save couples both time and money, while also avoiding contention and conflict.
Collaborative divorce is only effective when the parties involved take certain steps, so if you are considering ending your marriage and have questions about the collaborative divorce process, it is important to speak with an experienced divorce mediation attorney who can advise you throughout the process.
Agree to Avoid Reliving Past Conflicts
All couples argue and it is important for divorcing couples to keep these arguments in mind when attempting a collaborative divorce. Having a firm handle on what issues have provoked conflict in the past, as well as what type of conduct triggered disagreement can be extremely helpful when it comes to avoiding conflict during negotiation. Being careful to discuss these issues and how the parties can be better communicators, reach compromises more easily, and solve problems can help ensure that couples do not relive past conflicts and can play a crucial role in heading into negotiations with the right frame of mind.
Anticipate Disagreements
Couples who decide to attempt collaborative divorce are encouraged to anticipate disagreements by knowing where both parties stand on certain issues, such as parenting time and alimony. Identifying these priorities can go a long way towards planning for the resolution of potential conflict. Talking about these conflict resolution strategies with the other party prior to negotiations and sticking to the resolution protocol that they do establish are also key to ensuring that the collaborative divorce process is successful.
Keep an Eye Out for Signs of Conflict
When attempting to dissolve a marriage through the collaborative divorce process, the parties should remember to keep an eye out for warning signs that their spouse is unhappy with the course of negotiations or is otherwise becoming hostile. Looking to the other party’s body language and being careful with one’s own are some of the best ways to recognize a change in attitude or disposition during settlement negotiations. Open communication is also critical at this juncture, as the parties can attempt to resolve their conflict, or even take a break from negotiation so as to avoid hitting a dead end.
Don’t Respond in Anger
If one of the parties to a collaborative divorce becomes angry, it is important for the other party to avoid responding in anger, as arguing in this state of mind is rarely productive. Couples should also take care to refrain from baiting each other, or allowing one spouse to purposely agitate the other. Using their support systems, including a collaborative team made up of therapists, counselors, and lawyers can help both parties make better decisions and work towards achieving their goals without conflict.
Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Office
To speak with an experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce mediation attorney about whether the collaborative divorce process is right for you and your family, please contact dedicated divorce mediation lawyer Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. at 954-945-7591 today.
Resource:
huffpost.com/entry/the-collaborative-divorce-a-litigator-explains_b_59fbb3d3e4b01ec0dede40eb