When is the Best Time to Pursue Collaborative Divorce?

 Posted on November 09, 2022 in Kane

On the whole, couples today are considering the potentially negative impacts of divorce more carefully than couples of the past, especially when there are children involved. This means fewer marriages end in divorce, and, when they do, couples are more conscious about the way they choose to separate. Many people are children of divorced parents themselves and have experienced the pain of high-conflict divorce first-hand. Others have simply read the research and know that divorce does not have to be a catastrophic experience when adults can work cooperatively together. Whatever the reasons may be for you, if you are considering collaborative divorce, the time to approach an attorney committed to helping you with the process is now.

Do Not Wait Until You File for Divorce

Some couples figure they will wait to file for divorce and then hire attorneys to finish representing them throughout the process. However, this is usually not a good idea; the way you file for divorce has the potential to impact the rest of the divorce proceedings. For example, if you and your spouse have not already resolved issues like child support, asset division, and alimony, you will not be able to finalize your divorce and may need to litigate these issues on a temporary basis.

Hiring your collaborative divorce attorney before filing for divorce is the best time to start working on things - and the sooner, the better. Your attorney can help you manage your hopes and expectations during divorce, as well as brainstorm solutions to potentially difficult issues such as child custody. You can begin setting your own expectations and get a sense of the divorce process with your own attorney before you, your spouse, and your spouse’s attorney all begin meeting together. If you have a sense of what you want, and are willing to be flexible, you can generally move fairly quickly through the collaborative divorce process and file for an uncontested divorce.

It is important to work with an attorney who is committed to helping you resolve the issues of your divorce collaboratively. You may need to bring in other experts, like child psychologists or accountants, and discussions with these professionals are easier when everybody is equally committed to seeing the process end successfully.

Call a Kane County Collaborative Divorce Attorney Today

If you know you want to get a divorce and are considering the collaborative route, being proactive and starting as soon as possible ensures you have the guidance you need throughout the divorce process. MKFM’s team of St. Charles collaborative divorce attorneys understand the importance of working together with your spouse to reduce conflict and resolve all the necessary issues effectively. Call us today at 630-665-7300 to schedule a confidential consultation.

Source: 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=075000050HPt%2E+IV&ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=3900000&SeqEnd=5400000