What is the Value From Collaborative Divorce?

In this story from NBC 33, "Working Together To Break Up: A Look at the Collaborative Divorce Trend," one collaborative divorce coach explains why a collaborative divorce that initially seems expensive really isn't.

Can You Benefit From A Financial Planner in Your Divorce?

One of the hallmarks of collaborative divorce is the involvement of mental health and financial professionals in your divorce. A recent article in the Huffington Post, "Divorce Financial Planners: Keeping Divorce Costs Down" discusses the cost of traditional divorce methods (including litigation and mediation).

It also offers five factors that can impact the cost of your divorce, including:

• The nature and complexity of the marriage (are there children? substantial assets? a business?)
• The couples' (or either spouse's) lack of financial knowledge or familiarity with his or her own (or the family's) finances (did one couple handle the finances?)
• The need to assess the value of assets (home, other properties, retirement accounts/pensions, businesses, stocks or other holdings)
• Each parties' emotional state, which may affect the duration and cost of the divorce process (the more emotional the process, the higher the cost likely is)
• Turnover with lawyers (your decision to fire your lawyers, or your lawyer's decision to fire you as a client)

Collaborative divorce can be less expensive than a traditional litigation, but that is only one possible benefit from choosing this process. Other benefits can include faster resolution (traditional settlement talks or litigation can takes months or years) and a better relationship between both parties after the divorce (inherent in the process is "collaboration" -- both parties working together to find a mutually agreeable decision).

Action 3 News Story Highlights Divorce Insurance

Action 3 News has a story today about divorce insurance. 

You can find out more here about the company that provides the insurance: Wedlock Divorce Insurance.

Article on Collaborative Divorce on Huffington Post

Here's a good article on the Huffington Post website about collaborative divorce by an attorney who practices collaborative law.

An Epidemic of Mid-Life Divorces

Recently, I read somewhere that the divorce of someone close to you is a warning signal that may indicate that your relationship is at risk as well. Although most divorces -- especially adversarial, non-collaborative divorces -- are painful and expensive, there can be a bit of "jealousy" from longtime married folks when a friend or colleague divorces. Although divorces are a time of difficult transition, there is something liberating about the process as well. Most of us fear change, although we secretly long for it. "The grass is greener" theory, perhaps?

There seems to be an epidemic of mid-life divorces occurring around Omaha these days. Longtime married folks -- those married for 10, 15, or 20 years, are posting their "Single" status on Facebook. They're posting provocative pictures of "Girls Night Out," or ... even worse, the "cryptic" Facebook status updates ... the ones that allude to people not supporting their choices, or not understanding what they're going through. (Or the reverse -- the "shout-outs" to those who are supporting them, while lambasting those who have stayed silent on the topic.)

Even worse, are the Wall Photos. These two appeared on a friend's Facebook page this past week:

and

Then comes the inevitable admission: "We're getting a divorce." When a friend gets to this point, it's time to focus more on your own relationship. Don't let the divorce be contagious. (Oh, and suggest to your friend that they keep their relationship issues off Facebook.)

Co-Parenting After the Divorce

Once the divorce is over, things are just beginning with you and your ex-spouse ... when it comes to the children. Hopefully, in your collaborative divorce, you were able to come to an agreement about things like visitation schedules, decision-making when it comes to the children, etc.

Now it's time to implement those decisions -- and it may be easier said than done, unless you can keep the same principles in mind that made your collaborative divorce work. Check out this website, Co-Parenting 101, for some additional tips.

Collaborative Divorce - Free Webinar

Although not offered by Nebraska practitioners, those interested in learning more about collaborative divorce should consider attending this free webinar, "Collaborative Practice -- A Better Approach to Conflict Resolution" on Thursday, Sept. 22 from 12-1 p.m. Eastern time. If you're not able to make the live session, you can register and receive the recording.