Recently updated on February 14th, 2022 at 12:42 pm
When you choose collaborative divorce for a peaceful, solution-focused end to your marriage, you benefit from the knowledge and experience of not just your lawyers, but everyone on your divorce team. In many collaborative divorces, attorneys will retain specialists from different fields to help you and your ex-partner navigate the process more easily. Your team may include the following people.
1. Attorneys for Both Sides
Each partner in a divorce case must be represented by their own collaborative divorce attorney. Attorneys that practice in the area are specially trained in the area of âcollaborative divorceâ that is governed by its own unique guiding principles. This ensures that both partyâs best interests are properly represented during discussions and negotiations. Your attorney walks you through each step of the process, lets you know what information and documents are needed, and assists with negotiation and cooperation.
2. Financial Planner or Specialist
For many families, divorce causes an enormous amount of financial stress and strain. It often takes time for both parties to learn how to adjust to one income and avoid going into debt. A financial planner helps both parties adjust to their new financial situation. They often help with creating budgets, planning for future expenses, and meeting the financial needs of the divorcing coupleâs children.
3. Child Psychologist or Custody Specialist
The effects of divorce on children are well-documented; however, proper management of the divorce and the childâs feelings can help them move through this process in a healthy way. Indeed, children want to be loved by both of their parents and once families move past divorce there is more peace and love for everyone in the family – most especially the children. Proper support helps children view the divorce as a sad event that they can move past, rather than a life-defining traumatic experience. With the help of a child psychologist, both parents can learn how to put the child first and make decisions that are in the childâs best interests. The specialist may help you know what to expect as your child adjusts to the divorce and provide resources that allow you to meet your childâs emotional needs. They also help with the creation of parenting plans and schedules.
4. Divorce Coach (a/k/a Parenting Coordinator)
Although not as prevalent, engaging a parenting coach is a method that helps many parents transition post-divorce to become effective co-parents. You and your ex-partner have your own emotional battles and challenges going on, and that is why a divorce coach is a necessary part of your collaborative divorce team. The divorce coach helps both parties manage and understand their feelings, learn effective communication techniques, and learn the boundaries of the co-parenting relationship. Depending on a coupleâs preferences and existing relationship, they may choose to work with one neutral divorce coach or each has their own.
The path to a new normal can be difficult, but it doesnât have to be impossible. With McConnell Family Law Group, you can work toward finding peace through strength in every decision you make. Call us at 860-266-1166, or 203-344-7007 to get started.