Collaborative Divorce Could Help Parents Create a Better Future

On behalf of Scaringi Law posted in Family Law on Thursday, December 8, 2016.

Ending a marriage is never easy, but when a Pennsylvania couple has children, they need to find a way past the emotional distress that led them to where they are now in order to continue raising their children together. If at all possible, staying out of a courtroom would help. Fortunately, collaborative divorce provides an alternative to the traditional adversarial system that fosters compromise and cooperation, which will serve parents -- and the children -- in the future.

Another advantage of this process is that Pennsylvania parents remain in control of their futures. They are the ones who negotiate their divorce settlement instead of having a judge make decisions for them. Every family is unique, and having the opportunity to create a parenting plan that is designed specifically for them can help alleviate some of the stress and frustration that many people feel when the court decides custody matters based mostly on the statutory guidelines.

In order to make the process a success, the parties will have to agree to full disclosure and to negotiate in good faith. Focusing on the needs and the futures of the children could help couples stay motivated to make it work. This process also allows the parties to bring in other people such as financial advisers and counselors to help them make the best decisions possible.

Finding a way forward after a divorce can be a challenge -- especially when there are children involved. Using a process like collaborative divorce can help lay a foundation for an amicable relationship that could only benefit everyone involved. Fortunately, there is no reason for the end of the marital relationship to deny the children the chance to thrive and enjoy having both parents in their lives.

Source: FindLaw, "Collaborative Divorce: Overview", Accessed on Dec. 4, 2016