Divorce can feel deeply embarrassing, especially for those who are in the public eye. It can feel like a humiliation ritual to tell friends and family members about the end of a marriage.
People may also worry about how much of their personal lives might become public record during their divorce proceedings. For those in high-profile careers and spouses divorcing due to deeply personal matters, such as substance abuse or adultery, concerns about revealing personal matters in a public forum could inspire delays in divorce.
Collaborative divorce is an alternative that allows for the end of a marriage while maintaining the privacy of the spouses for the most part.
Collaborative divorces involve out-of-court settlements
Technically, all divorce records are usually public records. People can learn about the divorce by reviewing court records. However, those court records may simply include the identities of the spouses and the date of the divorce hearings. Spouses can limit what information becomes public record by settling as much as possible outside of divorce court.
In a collaborative divorce, spouses negotiate directly with one another, work with outside professionals and possibly even attend mediation together to settle disagreements about property division and parental responsibilities. Negotiations with their lawyers are protected by attorney-client privilege, and mediation is typically confidential as well. Only the final terms set by the spouses become public record.
Collaborative divorce is a more private process, even if spouses have to discuss concerning issues that they do not want to be part of the public record. Proposing a collaborative divorce can be a workable option for those worried about privacy at the end of a marriage.
