One of the most frustratingly important parts of a divorce involving children is making custody and visitation arrangements. Even if you don’t get along with your future ex-spouse, you may agree on the fact that your children need you, and they will always bind you together regardless of your relationship with your ex-spouse.

Knowing this, you want to stay out of court and come to an agreement on your own. Perhaps you feel that this will help you put aside your feelings for each other for the sake of your children. You could attempt to come to an agreement on your own, but you may find it easier and less frustrating to use an alternative method of resolving your issues such as the collaborative law process.

Would collaborative law work for you?

Couples who do the best with this method of dispute resolution are willing to work together and do what it takes to craft an agreement that best fits their family. You do not necessarily have to be on friendly terms in order to take advantage of this option, so if you at least agree that you want to negotiate your own divorce settlement, child custody agreement and parenting plan, this may work for you.

The collaborative process uses a problem-solving approach. Many people find this invaluable since it helps prepare them for future interactions. If you want to lay a foundation for your post-divorce parenting relationship, this process could provide you with the tools to do it. The process includes your attorneys, financial advisors and counselors, along with anyone else you may need in order to reach the best possible agreement.

When it comes to your children, you probably want to give them the best start possible to your new lives. Engaging in a process that is designed to reduce stress and provide you with an informal setting in which to resolve all of your divorce issues, especially those relating to your children, you may create a parenting plan that best suits your family’s needs.

Finding the right support

The collaborative process requires each of you to have your own attorney who will help ensure that your rights remain protected. Finding an attorney who supports this process is crucial since everyone must agree that if no agreement is reached, you must start over with a new attorney. Therefore, you may want to sit down and discuss how you want to approach your child custody and other divorce-related issues before deciding who would best represent you.