Many couples choose collaborative divorce over mediation and litigation because it offers some of the best aspects of both. In collaborative divorce, spouses commit to working with each other, assisted by their individual legal representatives, to reach agreements that are then approved by the court to finalize the divorce.
Couples can also agree to bring in specialists in various fields, either together or individually, to advise them on everything from real estate to taxes to investments – and of course co-parenting matters. That’s where collaborative divorce child specialists come in.
These are specially trained mental health professionals whose job it is to work with children whose parents are divorcing to help determine how they’re processing the changes in their family and what they want from and future. Based on their work with the child, they can assist parents in crafting a co-parenting arrangement that’s in the child’s best interests.
Providing insight into a child’s feelings about parental divorce
Kids of all ages whose parents are divorcing are often more willing to share their true feelings with a trained, empathetic third party than with their parents or even other family members. Further, as a neutral party, a child specialist can frame discussions and questions in a more unbiased way than parents can.
A child specialist can make recommendations to parents based on their work with the child regarding not just their custody agreement and parenting plan. They can help parents be aware of their child’s fears and concerns so they can better alleviate them. Having a child specialist can be an important first step to co-parenting a child through a divorce and after it’s finalized.
Why collaborative divorce can help couples embark on successful co-parenting
Collaborative divorce can be the optimal choice for couples who can work together amicably to reach agreements but want more hands-on legal guidance than mediation provides. For couples who will be transitioning to co-parenting one or more children across separate homes, this ability to work together constructively is particularly important. It can also provide the kind or privacy that a litigated divorce can’t ensure because the proceedings don’t play out in court.
It’s important to learn more about the pros and cons of the collaborative divorce process and how to make the most of it. Getting legal guidance is a good first step.