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 spouse navigate the process more easily. These specialists may include individuals knowledgeable in different aspects of the divorce to allow you and your spouse to address these matters in an effective and fair manner.
In this blog, we are highlighting our Greenwich office, which is one of our five convenient locations. If you are considering a collaborative divorce, our experienced Greenwich divorce attorneys can offer valuable guidance and support. At the McConnell Family Law Group, we can guide you through the process and facilitate a more amicable dissolution of your marriage, peacefully resolving disputes and protecting your interests and those of your family. Contact us at (203) 541-5520 to schedule a consultation and learn how we can support you moving forward with dignity and respect.
1. Attorneys for Both Sides
Each partner in a divorce case must be represented by their own collaborative divorce attorney. Attorneys who practice in the area are specially trained in the area of “collaborative divorce” which is governed by its own unique guiding principles. This ensures that both party’s 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.
Unlike traditional divorce proceedings, the negotiation in a collaborative divorce takes place in four-way meetings. These meetings are attended by both spouses and their respective attorneys. The role of these attorneys is critical as they help maintain a balanced and productive discussion. To further affirm this, the training received by collaborative divorce attorneys equips them with skills similar to mediators. This training is essential as it enables them to guide the negotiation process effectively, empowering both parties to feel heard and respected. The ultimate goal is to reach an amicable agreement that suits all involved.
Another unique aspect of collaborative divorce is the commitment made at the beginning of the process. Both parties agree that should the negotiations fail and no agreement be reached, the collaborative divorce attorneys will withdraw from the case. This commitment underscores the attorneys’ role in trying to reach a settlement outside of court. If the negotiations are successful, the attorneys will draft a document outlining the agreement. This draft is then reviewed and revised by both spouses until everyone is satisfied with every detail.
For those going through a divorce in Connecticut, working with Greenwich divorce attorneys skilled in collaborative practices can be instrumental in avoiding the escalation into a contested legal battle and achieving a peaceful conclusion to the marriage.
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 couple’s children.
3. Child Psychologist or Custody Specialist
The effects of divorce on children are well-documented; however, proper management of the divorce and the child’s 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 child’s 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 child’s 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 couple’s preferences and existing relationship, they may choose to work with one neutral divorce coach or each has their own.
| Professionals | Role |
|---|---|
| Attorneys for Both Sides | Specially trained in collaborative divorce, they represent each partner’s best interests, guide through the process, gather necessary information, and assist with negotiation and cooperation. |
| Financial Planner or Specialist | Helps both parties adjust to new financial situations post-divorce, assists in creating budgets, planning for future expenses, and meeting the financial needs of the divorcing couple’s children. |
| Child Psychologist or Custody Specialist | Assists parents in prioritizing the child’s best interests, helps children navigate the emotional challenges of divorce, provides resources for emotional support, and aids in the creation of parenting plans and schedules. |
| Divorce Coach (a/k/a Parenting Coordinator) | Helps parents transition post-divorce to become effective co-parents, assists in managing emotions and communication, and establishes boundaries in the co-parenting relationship. |
The path to a new normal can be difficult, but it doesn’t 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 (203) 541-5520 to get started.
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