While many divorces can be stressful and contentious, the vast majority of divorces can be settled amicably by the two parties involved. When a judge becomes involved in the divorce process, the outcomes are no longer in the control of the people impacted by them the most. If you and your former spouse believe you can work through the divorce process together, a collaborative law divorce may be the right choice for you.

Collaborative divorce is a process in which couples who have elected to file for divorce, can work with their lawyers to achieve a mutually agreed upon settlement. If you and your partner want to attempt to work through the collaborative divorce process, it is important to consult with your legal team to begin preparation for the process.

Preparing for a Collaborative Divorce

In order for a collaborative divorce to work smoothly, both parties must be willing to cooperate and compromise. While speaking with your legal team, they will likely prepare you emotionally for the process. Despite the fact that these divorces can usually be settled much quicker than the standard divorce process, it is important to come into the process with a strong level of patience. Remember that this process is incredibly difficult for your former-spouse as well.

A recent study conducted by a University of Maryland sociology professor, using data from the United States Census Bureau, found that divorce rates have been dropping steadily since 2008. In fact, in the eight-year period between 2008 and 2016, divorce rates have dropped an incredible 18%, nationwide. Yet, in all reality, the declining divorce rate has more to do with a smaller married population than an increase in healthier marriages. It is important to remember that removing yourself from an unhealthy marriage is almost always the best option for you and your family.

Millennials Are Not Marrying Young

Today’s young adult population has seemingly learned from the mistakes of their elders. Millennials are overwhelmingly electing to wait to get married until they are older, a decision that is directly leading to a declining divorce rate nationwide. In past generations, like the “Baby Boomers”, many American couples would marry at a  young age, have children, get divorced, and remarry. Millennials, it seems, are less inclined to marry before they are absolutely ready to do so.

According to the study mentioned above, the declining divorce rate is less about healthier marriages and more about couples from Generation X, as well as millennial couples, refusing to settle into marriages prematurely. The newest generation of young adults have proven to be more inclined to ensure that they are financially comfortable, finished with their academic careers, and firmly entrenched in a stable career path before tying the knot.

The divorce process can be consuming and draining. As former-spouses begin the process of establishing new lives apart, financial complications, custodial issues, and other details can make the divorce more complicated than initially anticipated. When a couple decides that a divorce is their best option, they have two choices. They can enter a courtroom and let lawyers, and ultimately a judge, decide on issues of custody and alimony, or they can proceed with mediation — a process in which the two former-spouses sit down with attorneys and a mediator and decide together how to best deal with financial and custodial issues.

In the state of Illinois, mediation represents a way to amicably and cooperatively work to find the best ways to deal with issues such as division of marital property and parental responsibilities. In the event that issues arise and cannot be resolved in a mediation setting, moving the case into a traditional family law setting is always possible. 

Consider the following reasons why mediation may be the right decision for you and your family. For additional information, contact a knowledgeable mediation lawyer today.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), roughly 20 people are abused by an intimate spouse every minute throughout the United States. Tragically, an average of 10 million Americans face domestic abuse every year. Due to pressures the victims face from their spouse, only 34 percent of domestic abuse victims receive medical treatment for their injuries.

For victims of domestic abuse, divorce can represent the only permanent way to find refuge from their abuser. Unfortunately, even in cases of domestic abuse, divorce is never as simple as most Americans assume. For a litany of reasons, finding a dedicated divorce attorney is critical in ensuring you and your family can safely remove yourselves from a dangerous and unhealthy situation, and receive the guidance you deserve.

How an Attorney Can Help

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 827,261 American couples divorced throughout 2016. During a divorce, former spouses are forced to focus on the logistical side of their separation. From resource allocation, to issues of child custody, divorces can be complicated and aggravating. In the midst of the divorce, many Americans forget to focus on their own personal self care.

While a divorce can be trying for the whole family, neglecting to take care of one’s self can be a detrimental mistake. Finding a compassionate and experienced legal team can help you turn your focus from the legal side of the divorce to the emotional side of a separation from a spouse.

Getting the Self-Care You Need