Joyce Tessier, M.S., Helping Couples Untangle the Marital Knot

About divorce

You may be struggling to decide if you want to stay married, but find it hard to even think about separation or divorce because it is so scary.

Divorce can be one of the most painful experiences a person ever goes through, but it doesn't have to be…and you don't have to go through it alone. I can help you through it….

There are different methods used to get a divorce.

Collaborative divorce

Also referred to as cooperative divorce, is a more peaceful method where the children’s interest are central. Each party selects a collaboratively trained attorney and a mental health professionals who is a divorce “coach”.

As a couple, you choose a neutral financial specialist and a child specialist. With the help of the team, you can settle your divorce without going to court. It takes less time and is less expensive and you are in charge of the outcome rather than a judge making decisions for you.

The collaborative method is the only one to have a neutral specialist who advocates for the children. This child specialist will give them a voice and a safe place to talk about all the changes that are happening in the family and share information with the parents and the team.

Mediation

Where a neutral mediator works with both parties until agreement is reached. The agreement is then reviewed by attorneys and submitted to the court. The focus is on working together and making your own decisions.

Pro per/Pro se

When you have no children and no property to divide, couples can act as their own attorney and use prepared forms to file for divorce.

Litigation

Or a traditional divorce - is often long and expensive. Each party retains an attorney and the focus in court is on winning. The judge makes decisions on what is best for the family.

Recommended readings

Divorce

  • The Good Divorce – Constance Ahrons, Ph.D. (1995) Publisher, Harper Collins Publishers, Inc., NY

  • Helping Your Kids Cope with Divorce the Sandcastles Way – M. Gary Newman (1998) Publisher, Random House, Inc., NY

Parenting

  • Mom’s House, Dad’s House, How Parents Can Make Two Homes for their Children after Divorce – Isolina Ricci, Ph.D. (1982) Publisher Macmillan Publishing Company, NY

  • The Seven Pitfalls of Single Parenting, What to Avoid to Help Your Children Thrive After Divorce – Carolyn B. Ellis (2007) Publisher, iUniverse, Inc., NY