Divorce Rates Lowering While Collaborative Divorce Rates Increase

Most people think of divorces as being contentious in nature. They think of long, drawn-out and expensive processes that take a heavy toll on those involved. While this is true in some cases, it is not the rule. 

Collaborative divorce is when both parties agree that they just want to part ways with no strings attached. They want it to go smoothly at all costs. They only need to iron out legal details and perhaps make some minor concessions. This is when they hire a collaborative divorce attorney. 

According to the National Association of Collaborative Lawyers, the number of collaborative divorces has increased by more than 50% in the past five years.

Collaborative divorce is preferable to the contentious version. So many people have seen it play out horribly for others that they want to avoid them at all cost. Plus, there are benefits to a collaborative divorce. Here is a list of some of the benefits of a collaborative:

• It is less expensive than litigation.
• It allows couples to maintain control over the terms of their divorce.
• It can help to reduce conflict between the parties.
• It can help to preserve the relationship between the parties, if possible.

Divorce Rates Falling

Let’s take a sampling of divorce statistics from a random location in the United States. Collaborative divorce attorneys in Melbourne, Florida report that the divorce rate has actually lowered slightly in recent years. The average went from 3.5 divorces per 1,000 people to 3.4 divorces per 1,000 people. Now compare these numbers to 2008 when that number was almost double that at 6.8 divorces per 1,000 people.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to a divorce, including:

• Financial problems
• Infidelity
• Abuse
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Mental health problems
• Communication problems

Sometimes people “fall out of love” or are just unable to live with each other any longer. This is the perfect case for a collaborative divorce. Basically, it’s a “you go your way and I’ll go mine” proposition.