3 Reasons to Consider Illinois Collaborative Divorce if You Have Kids

 Posted on December 08, 2021 in Collaborative Law

When divorcing couples share children, they have a much greater number of decisions to make than couples without children. Furthermore, the consequences of these decisions can impact their families for years after the split. Deciding how to distribute parental responsibilities and parenting time can quickly become contentious – especially if the parents disagree about what is best for the children. Collaborative divorce is an alternative resolution method that may help divorcing parents make informed choices about child custody issues, property division, and other divorce concerns without needing to go to Court.

Collaborative Law is a Cooperative Process

Understandably, many divorcing spouses struggle to communicate effectively during the divorce process. Many harbor resentments and hurts from the past that inhibit their ability to discuss divorce issues in a productive manner. During a collaborative divorce, the spouses sign an agreement promising to negotiate in good faith and freely provide any necessary documentation or information. They agree to put resentments aside, cooperate, and find practical solutions to the unresolved divorce issues. Learning how to cooperate during the divorce can help parents learn the skills needed to cooperate in their post-divorce, co-parenting relationship.

Spouses Are More Likely to Stick to Decisions They Made Themselves

When a divorce or child custody dispute is resolved through the Court, the spouses have little say over the Judge’s decision. During a collaborative divorce, the couples reach their own conclusions. Parents may be more likely to stick with decisions and plans they reached together than decisions handed down by a Judge. Parents can also include information in their Parenting Plan about how to handle any future disputes or modifications to the Parenting Plan. This can help parents avoid legal disputes over parenting time, relocations, or other child-related issues in the future.

Souses Can Work with Child Specialists and Other Professionals

Another major benefit to collaborative divorce is that spouses may add child specialists, financial experts, and other professionals to their collaborative team. For example, if the spouses have a child with special needs, they may work with a child specialist to ensure any decisions they make are in the child’s best interests. These professionals also sign an agreement promising to work collaboratively and strive for a solution that each party agrees to.

Contact an Arlington Heights Collaborative Divorce Lawyer

If you are getting divorced and you share children with your soon-to-be-ex, you may benefit from the collaborative law process. To learn more, contact experienced Palatine divorce attorney Nicholas W. Richardson at the The Law Office of Nicholas W. Richardson, P.C.. Call 847.873.6741 for a free, confidential case evaluation.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ChapterID=59&ActID=2086