Why Collaborative Divorce Creates Better Parenting Plans

BySharon Genalen

When you create a parenting plan through Collaborative Divorce, you and your spouse work together to build a plan that fits your children’s unique needs instead of leaving those decisions to a judge. This gives your family more flexibility, encourages healthier communication, and makes it easier to adjust the plan as your children grow.

You Keep Control of the Parenting Plan

One of the biggest benefits of Collaborative Divorce is that you and your spouse remain in control of the parenting plan. Instead of presenting competing arguments in court, you work together with your attorneys and other professionals (e.g. a child coach or therapist) to create individual solutions that fit your family.

Every child has different needs, schedules, personalities, and routines. Because you know your children better than anyone else, you are in the best position to develop a parenting plan that reflects what works.

Your Children’s Needs Come First

The Collaborative process keeps the focus on your children instead of winning an argument. Conversations center on what will help your children thrive both now and in the future.

If difficult parenting issues arise, you could work with a divorce coach or a neutral mental health professional who helps guide productive discussions during the process. That professional’s role is to support healthy communication and help you discover appropriate solutions, rather than investigating your family or making recommendations to a judge.

You Work Together Instead of Against Each Other

In a traditional court case, a guardian ad litem or another third party may provide opinions about what they believe is in your children’s best interests. While that process has its place, it also places important decisions in someone else’s hands.

With Collaborative Divorce, you and your spouse work directly with your professional team to resolve parenting issues. This creates an environment where honest conversations are encouraged and everyone shares the same goal of placing your children’s needs first.

Your Parenting Plan Can Grow With Your Family

Children’s needs naturally change as they get older. School schedules, extracurricular activities, health concerns, and social lives all evolve over time.

The Collaborative process makes it easier to revisit your parenting plan when those changes occur. Rather than returning to court, you and your spouse can meet with your Collaborative team to discuss updates and create new solutions that reflect your family’s current circumstances.

Even if your original divorce was handled through litigation, you may still choose the Collaborative process later, in lieu of post-decree litigation, to modify your parenting plan if both parents agree to participate.

A Better Future for Your Family

A parenting plan is more than a legal document. It serves as a guide for raising your children together after your marriage ends.

When you create that plan through Collaborative Divorce, you have the opportunity to build it around your children’s needs while developing better communication with your co-parent. That cooperative foundation can benefit your entire family for years to come.

FAQs

1. Can we modify our parenting plan after the divorce is final?
Yes. If circumstances change, you and your co-parent will work together through the Collaborative process to update your parenting plan without the need to return to court.

2. Do we have to use Collaborative Divorce from the beginning?
No. Even if your divorce was completed through litigation, you may choose the Collaborative process later to address parenting plan modifications if both parents agree.

3. Who helps us create the parenting plan?
Your Collaborative team may include your attorneys, a divorce coach, and a neutral mental health professional who helps facilitate discussions focused on your children’s needs.

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