A marriage may end, but the family formed by the marriage doesn’t. Whether the marriage resulted in children, brought people together in a blended family, or was simply a union of two, each marriage creates a family impacted by separation and divorce. Collaborative law offers an approach that preserves the health of that family through the upheaval of beginning a new life.
Collaborative law involves specialists who can look out for those impacted by changes in family dynamics, finances and living situations. The goal of collaborative law is to support cooperation, providing a way for both parties to achieve what they want while avoiding the trauma and expense of court. Many couples getting divorced care most about protecting their families. Here are four ways collaborative law focuses on the health of the family.
1. Using a Child Advocate to Prioritize Kids’ Mental Health Needs
Collaborative law can employ a neutral third party to advocate for the mental health and other needs of children throughout the divorce process. This ensures the couple develops schedules and logistics in the best interests of their children and shields the child from as much turmoil as possible.
The advocate can also suggest or help speak up for choices in the best interests of younger children. They can assist older children with articulating feelings about the divorce that their parents or guardians may not see. Advocates allow children to be heard and play an active role in empowering parents to make the best decisions for their children, which may not happen in traditional divorce.
2. Relying on Financial Neutrals for Guidance
The dissolution of a marriage does not equal immediate financial independence. The economic reality is that while your combined income level often does not change, that number now has to support two households. A financial neutral can help a couple navigate this challenging situation, offering solutions that benefit both parties and looking at finances in an unbiased way.
Getting this outside perspective can help your family continue to thrive financially even when things get a little tighter. Financial neutrals work to understand your needs while taking into account your unique priorities, which may include swimming lessons for a child or caregiving for an older parent.
3. Employing Coaching to Cultivate Healthy Co-Parent Relationships
Parents become co-parents after a divorce. They need a plan to approach this new relationship and continue making healthy choices for their family. A coach can assist with this mindset shift as well as create a parenting blueprint for how to make decisions and balance childcare.
Using a coach provided through the collaborative law process can ease this transition. As a neutral party, they look out for the best interests of your family rather than just the needs of the parents or individual spouses. When it is time to discuss difficult topics, the coach helps keep that discussion focused on the issue at hand, and empowers both spouses or parents to communicate their needs. This keeps the focus on the health and well-being of your family during what could otherwise be a difficult and emotional time.
4. Setting the Tone for the Future
Collaborative law establishes healthy ways to address disputes and reach agreements. Couples can return to this model of decision-making again and again as they forge a future with separate households but shared interests. Laying the foundation for this work sets families up for a healthy give-and-take that leads to informed decision-making.
Find Out More About Collaborative Law and Protecting Your Family’s Health
Collaborative Professionals of Central Pennsylvania offers collaborative divorce assistance. If you would like to learn more about this approach, please schedule a free consultation with one of our members listed in the Professional Directory today.