On behalf of Gary Kirk of Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP posted in Divorce Mediation on Tuesday, June 13, 2017.
The pictures show one smiling couple after another, laughing and mugging for the camera. Are they gleeful newlyweds? Amazingly, they are all recently divorced. The ‘divorce selfie’ is a recent phenomenon made possible by not only the ubiquitous smartphone, but also by the popularity of non-confrontational divorce techniques. Divorce mediation is just one possible reason for all the happy faces.
Not every divorce ends with smiles, of course, but most former spouses may find they can treat each other with respect, at least. In particular, divorced parents in Alberta owe it to their children to work together and maintain a stable environment. The effort made now could pay dividends later in life, according to one study.
In 2008, a university in the United States conducted a study into the lives of children whose parents had divorced. Kids whose parents had a messy divorce were twice as likely to have financial difficulties than the children whose parents had a less traumatic split. They were also more likely to have trouble getting into college or university. According to a family-relationships professional, children need security and reassurance before and after a divorce to give them their best chance for a happy and successful life. Research shows that how parents handle a divorce, rather than the divorce itself, has the greatest effect on their kids.
There are situations in which it may be impossible for two parents to get along and co-parent their children. For the majority of divorcing parents, however, choosing a non-traditional approach to divorce, like divorce mediation, can be the training ground for respectful interactions in the future. A lawyer that understands alternative dispute resolution techniques and Alberta family law, can help parties achieve a peaceful end to his or her marriage.
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