A collaborative divorce features a number of participants that help a divorcing couple progress from a decision to collaboratively divorce to the separation of their assets and lives. Often called the “kinder and gentler” way to divorce, collaborative divorce offers an alternative to litigation and helps divorcing couples establish themselves as co-parents if necessary.
In addition to two collaborative divorce attorneys, a collaborative divorce coach is often included as part of the team.
Who is a Divorce Coach?
To be considered a collaborative divorce coach, an individual must undergo training in collaborative practice. Often, these individuals are trained psychologists, counselors, and therapists who have connected with the idea of collaborative practice and want to help divorcing couples through the transition and difficulties of divorce.
While there are individuals who identify themselves as “divorce coaches”, not all divorce coaches are collaborative divorce coaches. Often, the best way to find a divorce coach is to ask your collaboratively trained attorney for a recommendation.
What Do Divorce Coaches Do?
A collaborative divorce coach’s primary function is to ensure progress. They do this by running meetings, sharing information, taking note of how the participants are feeling, providing resources, helping divorcing couples recognize issues, assisting in crafting amenable agreements, and more.
When one divorce coach is working with the collaborative team, that divorce coach is neutral and aims to help both sides move forward into and through the divorce. They share information between parties as both parties are entitled to it. They offer communication tips and help both parties recognize behaviors that may be causing problems.
Some couples choose to engage two divorce coaches. In this situation, each side has a divorce coach who helps the parties communicate better and work through emotional issues as they separate their lives and belongings. In the two coach model, the coaches are not neutral. Rather, they serve the party who has engaged their services. Often, the financial neutral works to move the process forward in this situation as the two divorce coaches help their clients communicate and craft equitable agreements.
One of the most vital aspects of the divorce coach is their knowledge of human emotion and communication. Their psychological and therapeutic backgrounds provide them with the knowledge they need to assist divorcing couples overcome hurdles. This is most evident in divorces where children are involved. When both parties will remain linked by parenthood, it is often necessary to learn how to co-parent and to establish techniques for communicating and engaging with a former partner in a way that is healthy for the children.
Divorce is challenging, regardless of what method you use. Collaborative practice acknowledges the difficulty of the divorce process and focuses on providing tools and information for moving divorcing couples forward, especially when children are involved. The divorce coach is an essential aspect of this. Not only do they facilitate the meetings, but they truly help divorcing couples understand the process and appropriately plan for the future. This creates a smoother transition for divorcing couples and families.
Consulting with a Tampa Collaborative Divorce Attorney
If you’re looking for more information on collaborative divorce, speaking with a Tampa collaborative divorce attorney can help you better determine whether this method is best for you. Understanding your options is important. Every divorcing couple is unique and should be treated as such. Consult with a trained Tampa collaborative divorce attorney to gain a further understanding of what collaborative divorce entails and what it may mean in your situation.
