When to Call in Outside Help for Your Collaborative Divorce

Some spouses think they can handle the divorce process all by themselves. Having an independent mindset can be a great thing, but it is also essential to get help when you need it. While it is true that a few rare spouses may be able to navigate the entire divorce process without ever hiring any assistance, you probably cannot pull this off on your own. Only if both spouses are, trained attorneys can the legal process seem complex and overwhelming for many. And hey, even trained attorneys need help from qualified divorce lawyers when they end their marriages!

The good news is that you can still act in a highly independent manner – even if you do need help from a few professionals along the way. If you value control and independence, your best bet is probably a collaborative divorce. This method allows you and your former spouse to work together and strive toward a resolution that is satisfactory for both parties. Instead of relying on the courts to handle your divorce, you can take matters into your own hands. In addition, a collaborative divorce can be quicker and cheaper than a litigated divorce.

With all that said, you can still benefit significantly from outside help if you choose a collaborative divorce. The key is knowing when to get help and whom to call. In this article, we will explore a number of scenarios in which you might benefit from getting outside help from trained professionals.

While you cannot handle the entirety of your collaborative divorce alone, you can iron out many of the details with your spouse before you even get lawyers involved. This is often one of the best ways to limit legal fees. You and your spouse are free to sit down privately and hash out the details of your divorce. With this approach, you can essentially create your own draft of the separation agreement before the negotiations begin.

Once you sit down with your attorneys, it is just a matter of going through all the details of this draft and making sure everything makes sense from a legal perspective. This strategy can help you resolve your divorce in a matter of days, and this saves time and money. With all that said, this option may only be realistic for some couples. If you and your spouse are still quite combative, you may need help to negotiate effectively. Sometimes, it is best to let a trained professional guide you through this process to minimize conflicts. Working out details on your own may only be possible if your split is extremely amicable in nature.

A significant point of contention is often child custody. If this issue becomes complicated to resolve, you may benefit from calling in a child specialist to join this collaborative process. These impartial individuals can assess your situation and recommend the best outcome for the children. This can help spouses agree upon child custody arrangements that serve the children’s best interests.

The family home is another common issue. In this situation, you might want to call in a property valuator to help you determine the actual value of this asset. Financial specialists can also be beneficial in this scenario, especially if you want to avoid taxes as much as possible when splitting property.

If spouses are dealing with significant tension and emotional issues, it might be best to call in a mental health expert. These are often referred to as neutral mental health professionals or “MHPs” by attorneys. Their role is to facilitate positive communication while addressing critical emotional and mental issues that may be impeding the negotiation process.

Of course, there is one professional that you will always need to work with if you have chosen a collaborative divorce. You guessed it – we are talking about a qualified attorney who has plenty of experience in this area of law. Arnold & Smith, PLLC has been helping numerous spouses in North Carolina over the years, and we can help make your collaborative divorce a resounding success.

We know how important it is for spouses to resolve their separations in the most efficient way possible, and we can use a number of effective strategies to make this happen. We are also ready and willing to work alongside mental health experts, child specialists, financial professionals, and anyone else you might want to bring to the negotiation table. At the end of the day, collaborative divorce is a team effort, so add us to your roster today.