There’s a point in a relationship where one party decides a line has been crossed, and the marriage can no longer continue. Only the people in the relationship can say where that line is, but once it’s been identified, the marriage is over.
However, when kids are involved, the relationship must necessarily continue. Ideally, the two people can still maintain respect and admiration for each other as they move on separately, but that can be very tricky depending on the circumstances of the marriage’s end. Hiring a family lawyer who emphasizes collaboration and empathy is a great first step.
Let’s look at how the best family lawyers make amicable divorces possible.
Larger Interests from the Start
What does a client really want from their divorce lawyer? In a narrow sense, the first things that come to people’s mind may be things like a favourable asset split, custody, and alimony. Parents going through a divorce know that their children are a priority, but they may feel slighted or angered by their ex-partner and eager to take from them what they can or minimize giving anything away.
The leading divorce and family lawyers in Brampton and the GTA emphasize their clients’ larger holistic goals, which involve advocating for their clients’ legal rights while doing what’s best for the children. They’ll begin the proceedings looking to collaborate with the other party, showing a genuine willingness to be helpful in what matters most to both sides.
Establishing a positive tone from the beginning helps to lower the temperature before things get a chance to heat up and secure what both sides desire most — a quick, inexpensive, and stress-free resolution that gives their children a stable, predictable, and joyous foundation for life post-divorce.
Tough When Needed
Divorces are complex legal proceedings made more challenging by the difficult emotions involved. A client can only control how they respond to the divorce, not their ex-partner.
Family lawyers are right to begin with a conciliatory and collaborative tone, but how the other party reacts is out of their hands. If they show a stubborn unwillingness to work together, empathetic lawyers can pivot to toughness.
They seek to secure the best result possible for their client. An amicable split is ideal, and they’ll pursue it as far as they can. Sometimes, a hostile ex-partner needs to see signs of goodwill before they can truly believe and accept that divorce doesn’t have to be gruelling, and collaborative lawyers can help here.
They may advise their clients to give up a concession where it’s in the child’s best interests. Some parents have specific skills or talents their children shouldn’t be deprived of — imagine a child who loves art whose mother is a successful artist. Collaborative lawyers may insist that their client’s ex-partner continue to provide the benefits of such a connection, which will help the divorce move along in a way that benefits everybody.
Such genuine acts of goodwill can brighten what can otherwise be a tough negotiation. If such acts don’t work, collaborative lawyers can play hardball when absolutely required.
The end of a marriage between two adults with kids does not mean the end of a relationship moving forward. Divorces tend to make people feel a range of negative emotions, from sadness and regret to anger. Even if you’re upset or sad, hire a collaborative lawyer and don’t give up on the possibility of an amicable divorce.
