One of the fastest-growing trends in divorce proceedings in Florida and around the U.S. is called collaborative divorce. Rising in popularity as it becomes better known, collaborative divorce allows each couple to enter into mediation, as opposed to a costly and adversarial traditional courtroom setting.

In collaborative divorce, a couple is able to create a divorce settlement together with the help of a mediator. Couples are encouraged to leave their disagreements behind so that they can collaborate on a solution that is satisfactory to both parties. The process leaves the couple in control of the process. Often couples, with the help of mediation, can part as friends.

For example, a Florida couple chose divorce mediation instead of a courtroom setting so that their seven-year-old child would not have to witness the hostile atmosphere of a courtroom divorce. Married eight years, the couple first agreed that neither party would seek their solution in court.

Each of the parties hired an attorney. The attorneys hired a financial planner and a therapist to help the couple get over the hurdles they might face during the process. Over the next two months, the couple met with their attorneys, the therapist, and the financial planner to work together to create a divorce settlement that would be fair to both parties. The lawyers helped the couple sort out the legal issues involved, the financial planner gave them advice on financial matters, and the therapist helped the couple sort out their feelings and move forward in an amicable, productive process.

With a collaborative divorce, the only time the couple will have to appear before a judge is to receive her or his approval and signature on the final document. In this case, this Florida couple was able to part company with both parties feeling satisfied with the result. Such satisfaction is a rarity in a traditional divorce.

The collaborative process can help entire families recover from the pain and hard feelings that arise from the separation of two people who once promised a lifetime together. With mediation, the family members can discuss their feelings and concerns in a non-judgmental atmosphere. Fears about financial issues, child support issues, and other matters of concern can be better faced with a team of experts who can help the family adjust to its new way of life. More importantly, divorce mediation can help each person in the family learn better communication skills that can help them build a friendly relationship after the divorce.

Source: tbo.com, Kinder, gentler divorces take the bite out of break-ups, Ray Reyes, Sept. 15, 2013