Is your spouse open to having a collaborative divorce?

Ending a marriage is rarely easy, as you must divide marital property, come up with a custody arrangement and perhaps even find a new place to live. According to Psychology Today, you also may have to deal with intensifying anger, depression, anxiety and sadness.

Anything you can do to lower your divorce-related stress is likely to benefit your mental health. A collaborative divorce may be one option. With a collaborative divorce, you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse work collaboratively to wrap up your marriage. How do you know if your spouse is open to this type of divorce, though?

Your spouse’s budget

Its cost-effectiveness is one of the major advantages of pursuing a collaborative divorce instead of a courtroom battle. That is, friendlier divorces tend to be much less expensive than litigation. If your spouse is budget-conscious, he or she may be willing to entertain the idea of a collaborative divorce.

Your spouse’s parenting

Just as divorce can be hard on your mental well-being, it can jeopardize the emotional health of your children. If your spouse wants to see the kids thrive, he or she may decide a collaborative divorce is the right approach. After all, this type of divorce is usually easier for families than having a fight in court.

Your spouse’s outlook

Your husband or wife may be ready to conclude your divorce and move on with his or her life. If your spouse is already planning for the next chapter of his or her life, bringing up the possibility of a collaborative divorce probably makes sense.

Ultimately, there probably is no harm in simply asking your spouse if he or she has any interest in ending your marriage collaboratively.