"Military Intelligence," "exact estimate," and "Microsoft Works." Standing alone, those phrases may seem to make perfect sense. Put them into some sort of context, as comedian George Carlin was famous for doing, and it becomes apparent that there is an oxymoronic aspect to each of them.
Some might argue that the same could be said of the term collaborative divorce. Divorce by its very definition is the legal ending of a marriage and it typically reflects that the parties seeking one have determined they can't work together. Collaboration by its very definition means two or more people working together to achieve a common aim.
In that light it seems fair to ask, how can collaborative divorce work? The answer is that it depends on both parties being properly disposed to the notion. That typically means that you both generally agree on most of the major issues that have to be dealt with and are willing to commit to resolving disputed issues honestly, cooperatively and respectfully.
Those in Minnesota with deep experience in this area of practice will surely attest that there are benefits to the collaborative process beyond avoiding what is often an adversarial contest. It's estimated that mediation is less costly than going to court. It usually can be completed faster and more flexibly than going to court. Working collaboratively offers a greater level of privacy, as well.
Divorce is always emotional. It does not have to always be painful. If you have more questions about whether collaborative law might be an option for you, visit our page on the topic.
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