No matter how one approaches it, divorce can be a difficult and emotional life event. There are ways, however, in which it may be possible to alleviate some of the stress and make a relatively clean break. Using collaborative law may be one of the best methods available to men and women in British Columbia.

Most people going through divorce are good, caring folks who once loved their partners. Regardless of the current state of the relationship, many people are loath to hurt their former spouse. Some men and women report feeling stress at having caused their exes emotional pain. It may be possible to minimize that pain by working together through the process of ending a marriage.

A more practical reason to work with rather than against one’s spouse has to do with finances. While the courts will settle the division of assets and the awarding of support with or without the agreement of the two parties, this isn’t the only way. In all likelihood, the two people who know their marital property and personal finances best are also best suited to decide how to split them up. Negotiating a division may end up being more pleasing in the end than settling for what’s given, and can help both parties avoid financial surprises.

Another consideration is children. Any couple with children typically try hard to avoid fighting over or around their kids. Ugly scenes can leave children emotionally scarred and parents estranged. A better choice would be to work together to make parenting plans, and show the kids that mom and dad are still a parenting team who love them.

Divorce may be an unfortunate occurrence, but for those who cannot avoid it, it doesn’t have to be emotionally traumatic. Collaborative law allows a couple to split with dignity and respect, and maybe a few more dollars in their individual pockets. A British Columbia family law firm can help to make this possible.

Source: The Huffington Post, “10 Lessons I Learned From My Divorce (So You Won’t Have To)“, Haywood Hunt, Feb. 16, 2017