Caralyn L. Graham, LCPC 466 Central Avenue Suite 27 Northfield, IL 60093 847.446.7924 |
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Psychotherapy Services for Adults and Couples Caralyn L. Graham, MS, LCPC 466 Central Avenue . Suite 27 . Northfield, IL 60093 . 847.446.7924 |
A new, more humane approach to divorce is emerging and should not be
overlooked. It is called Collaborative Divorce. Simply said, in a collaborative
divorce, parties agree they won’t go to court, no matter what.
Collaborative law uses cooperative rather than adversarial techniques and
litigation to resolve disputes. Collaborative divorce uses two attorneys specially
trained in the collaborative model, and can additionally call upon divorce
coaches, a child specialist and a financial neutral to help divorcing spouses
reach an out of court agreement. Each team member has received specialized
training in interdisciplinary collaborative practice. The team helps spouses by
educating them on their options, maximizing problem solving potential and
facilitating mutual decisions rather than polarizing issues.
Both parties sign an agreement that they will not go to court. If either spouse
decides to opt out and litigate, none of the professionals on the collaborative
team can be used in a subsequent litigation process.
Parties will be committed to an honest exchange of information. They use a
problem solving approach that addresses the issues of both spouses and their
children.
The collaborative process uses face to face meetings between spouses and
team professionals to problem solve for solutions. Each spouse retains his or
her own collaborative attorney who provides legal counsel. The attorneys come
to the process with common concepts and values about resolving conflict without
resorting to adversarial tactics. Divorce coaches are frequently used as well.
These are mental health professionals trained in the collaborative process who
help spouses manage the pain, anger and confusion of the transformation they
face, while helping to keep them focused on the “business” of getting divorced.
Coaches help prepare and orient clients to what they will face in the team
meetings, and how to manage the difficult emotions that invariably arise. The
coaches can also help to educate spouses on long term issues to consider, and
help facilitate improved communication, which may greatly improve outcomes
where children are involved.
A financial specialist may also be used to help in dividing assets and liabilities in
a way that meets each person’s needs while illustrating the results of different
settlement options. They can also be instrumental in educating spouses who are
less knowledgeable or experienced with the family’s finances.
A neutral child specialist may be called to the team to help spouses create
parenting plans and arrangements customized to the specific needs of the
family. These specialists are trained to deal with the sensitive nature of children’
s issue, and conflicts that can arise as the result of divorce. They can also be
used effectively to educate parents on the impact of divorce from the child’s
perspective and strategize on creating an easier transition.
A primary benefit of collaborative divorce is that spouses retain control over the
process. The process is aimed at transparency, and the team approach helps to
facilitate improved communication and problem solving with specialists that help
mitigate some of the highly sensitive issues inherent in divorce. The process
emphasizes the needs of children. It creates agreements that are more likely to
be adhered to post-decree, since the spouses themselves are formulating and
agreeing to the terms. The process encourages mutual respect, reduces stress
and animosity, protects privacy, and prevents a court battle, which can greatly
reduce emotional stress on the entire family system. Typically, a collaborative
divorce is faster and less costly than litigation.
overlooked. It is called Collaborative Divorce. Simply said, in a collaborative
divorce, parties agree they won’t go to court, no matter what.
Collaborative law uses cooperative rather than adversarial techniques and
litigation to resolve disputes. Collaborative divorce uses two attorneys specially
trained in the collaborative model, and can additionally call upon divorce
coaches, a child specialist and a financial neutral to help divorcing spouses
reach an out of court agreement. Each team member has received specialized
training in interdisciplinary collaborative practice. The team helps spouses by
educating them on their options, maximizing problem solving potential and
facilitating mutual decisions rather than polarizing issues.
Both parties sign an agreement that they will not go to court. If either spouse
decides to opt out and litigate, none of the professionals on the collaborative
team can be used in a subsequent litigation process.
Parties will be committed to an honest exchange of information. They use a
problem solving approach that addresses the issues of both spouses and their
children.
The collaborative process uses face to face meetings between spouses and
team professionals to problem solve for solutions. Each spouse retains his or
her own collaborative attorney who provides legal counsel. The attorneys come
to the process with common concepts and values about resolving conflict without
resorting to adversarial tactics. Divorce coaches are frequently used as well.
These are mental health professionals trained in the collaborative process who
help spouses manage the pain, anger and confusion of the transformation they
face, while helping to keep them focused on the “business” of getting divorced.
Coaches help prepare and orient clients to what they will face in the team
meetings, and how to manage the difficult emotions that invariably arise. The
coaches can also help to educate spouses on long term issues to consider, and
help facilitate improved communication, which may greatly improve outcomes
where children are involved.
A financial specialist may also be used to help in dividing assets and liabilities in
a way that meets each person’s needs while illustrating the results of different
settlement options. They can also be instrumental in educating spouses who are
less knowledgeable or experienced with the family’s finances.
A neutral child specialist may be called to the team to help spouses create
parenting plans and arrangements customized to the specific needs of the
family. These specialists are trained to deal with the sensitive nature of children’
s issue, and conflicts that can arise as the result of divorce. They can also be
used effectively to educate parents on the impact of divorce from the child’s
perspective and strategize on creating an easier transition.
A primary benefit of collaborative divorce is that spouses retain control over the
process. The process is aimed at transparency, and the team approach helps to
facilitate improved communication and problem solving with specialists that help
mitigate some of the highly sensitive issues inherent in divorce. The process
emphasizes the needs of children. It creates agreements that are more likely to
be adhered to post-decree, since the spouses themselves are formulating and
agreeing to the terms. The process encourages mutual respect, reduces stress
and animosity, protects privacy, and prevents a court battle, which can greatly
reduce emotional stress on the entire family system. Typically, a collaborative
divorce is faster and less costly than litigation.
Collaborative Divorce: A Better Way to Move On