Is alimony a sticking point in a collaborative divorce?

Pennsylvania law may allow you to seek alimony as part of a divorce settlement. It’s also possible that your spouse may seek financial assistance. However, just because one party may be entitled to alimony doesn’t mean that it will be easy to get. Fortunately, the collaborative divorce process is designed to help identify and overcome any problems that might make it harder to officially dissolve a marriage.

Collaborative divorce allows you to communicate openly and effectively

One of the key advantages to a collaborative divorce is that you are allowed and encouraged to communicate with your spouse. In many cases, the divorce process stalls because you aren’t able to articulate what it is you want and why you want it. However, having the ability to clearly state what your goals are may make it easier to obtain the assistance that you need to support yourself as a single person.

Each side has an incentive to get a deal done

It’s important to keep in mind that each party to a divorce has incentive to reach a deal outside of court. Generally speaking, agreeing to a settlement outside of court can save months of your life and thousands of dollars from being spent on lawyers and other fees.

Although you have no obligation to settle your divorce in a collaborative fashion, it’s likely in your best interest to do so. This is because a collaborative divorce may allow you to obtain alimony or other types of financial assistance without the need to head to court. Furthermore, taking such an approach may allow you to come to terms with the changes that are occurring in your life in a controlled setting.