Add Pennsylvania to the list of states that have recently begun to adopt the collaborative divorce process. Collaborative divorce, the brainchild of a Minnesota attorney, is being sought out across the country as more couples seek to avoid long, drawn-out court proceedings. In essence, the process requires couples to commit to cooperation.
For example, one Pittsburgh couple was stuck on which parent would get the children for Thanksgiving. While the holidays are certainly important for parents, each side realized the issue was not so important to necessitate a long legal battle. By agreeing at the onset to avoid court and cooperate, the couple was able to come to terms on arrangements. When arrangements are successfully achieved like this, parents often find their post-divorce dealings to be more amicable than those couples who find themselves in a court battle.
While collaborative divorce may not seem any more complex than simple negotiation, the process has evolved into a sophisticated engine. Health care professionals can be brought in to help control emotions, while financial experts can advise couples on the best way to arrange assets. There is no issue too big to escape a collaborative resolution, including child custody.
Many Minnesota residents probably know someone who went through a contentious divorce. Many couples who experienced this type of adversarial and combative process may hold ill-will toward their former spouse for years afterward. Collaborative divorce is a way to avoid this type of acrimony, and the process can ensure the parties walk away with positive results for everyone.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Collaborative divorce avoids going to court to settle differences,” Kim Lyons, Oct. 7, 2013