Important Keys to a Collaborative Divorce
March 25, 2016 by West Coast ADR
If you’re thinking of using a collaborative divorce because you think you and your spouse can work things out without a court date, it’s important to know how to approach this properly. It can be a great alternative, but you have to remember that it does put more pressure on you, and the results of the divorce are binding. You can’t go back and redo it later if you make a mistake. As such, keep the following key points in mind:
1. Make sure that both you and your spouse are open and honest. Never try to hide assets. Don’t lie about your income. Don’t give things to other people so that you don’t have to split them up, knowing you’ll get them back after the divorce. Honesty is very important to find a fair solution.
2. Don’t let addictions get in the way. Experts warn that addictions to drugs or alcohol can make the process far harder.
3. Be sure that both people have equal ground and an equal chance to speak their minds. Don’t try to be dominating, forcing your spouse into any decisions—and don’t let your spouse dominate the conversation, either. This has to be a two-way street.
4. Never make threats or act overly aggressive in the negotiations. Even if things aren’t going the way that you hoped, you must stay calm and collected. Never attempt to bully someone else into a decision.
The main key to a collaborative divorce is just to work together and to keep lines of communication open. Additionally, you need to make sure you know what legal steps you need to take in Canada to finalize the divorce.
Source: Forbes, “The Four Divorce Alternatives,” Jeff Landers, accessed March 25, 2016
If you’re thinking of using a collaborative divorce because you think you and your spouse can work things out without a court date, it’s important to know how to approach this properly. It can be a great alternative, but you have to remember that it does put more pressure on you, and the results of the divorce are binding. You can’t go back and redo it later if you make a mistake. As such, keep the following key points in mind:
1. Make sure that both you and your spouse are open and honest. Never try to hide assets. Don’t lie about your income. Don’t give things to other people so that you don’t have to split them up, knowing you’ll get them back after the divorce. Honesty is very important to find a fair solution.
2. Don’t let addictions get in the way. Experts warn that addictions to drugs or alcohol can make the process far harder.
3. Be sure that both people have equal ground and an equal chance to speak their minds. Don’t try to be dominating, forcing your spouse into any decisions—and don’t let your spouse dominate the conversation, either. This has to be a two-way street.
4. Never make threats or act overly aggressive in the negotiations. Even if things aren’t going the way that you hoped, you must stay calm and collected. Never attempt to bully someone else into a decision.
The main key to a collaborative divorce is just to work together and to keep lines of communication open. Additionally, you need to make sure you know what legal steps you need to take in Canada to finalize the divorce.
Source: Forbes, “The Four Divorce Alternatives,” Jeff Landers, accessed March 25, 2016