I’ve heard about the involvement about other professionals in a collaborative divorce. Why does that make collaborative divorce more efficient and cost-effective?
Collaborative divorce involves a team approach. The core group involves a coach and a financial neutral. It may involve a child specialist. Using financial neutrals makes the process quicker and more efficient.
What’s this I hear about the role of the “coach?” How does this work?
An Illinois collaborative divorce uses one neutral coach or two coaches. A coach significantly differs from a counselor — although your collaborative coach will be a mental health professional. The coach does three things, which are invaluable to both the clients and the lawyers involved. The coach helps the client:
- Discern his or her needs;
- Articulate his or her needs;
- Hear the other spouse’s needs respectfully.
Illinois collaborative coaches receive training interest-based negotiation. They help the couple use these techniques at the collaborative table for a more efficient process. The coach helps to build a healthy post-divorce environment for the divorcing couple and their children. While counseling and therapy often focus on the past. Coaching focuses on the present and future. When done right and with a cooperative couple, coaching helps each spouse achieve a cost-effective and respectful resolution of divorce.
What other professionals are involved in a collaborative divorce?
An Illinois’ collaborative practice involves a collaboration not only between the attorneys and the allied professionals. The core group of professionals consists of the lawyers, the coach(es), the financial specialist, and potentially a child specialist. Collaborative divorce brings together the best professionals so that a couple may take “ownership” of their own divorce.
Explain the role of the child specialist.
A child specialist serves as part of the team in a collaborative divorce process with minor children. During this process, the child specialist talks with the parents and meets with the child to assess the child’s needs and concerns. The child specialist also assists the parents in recognizing and meeting the developmental needs of the child, while providing the child a voice in the divorce process. Unlike a custody evaluator, the child specialist doesn’t make specific recommendations. Instead, the child specialist works with the coaches and the parents to help the couple make informed decisions involving their child. See: Child Specialist | Collaborative Divorce Illinois.
