Many couples these days are looking for less adversarial solutions to end their relationship. But some are taking things even further. Amicable divorce, friendly divorce ‚however you term it, some couples making radical changes in an effort to craft a peaceful and cooperative coexistence in post-divorce life.
Bad As A Couple, Good As Ex-Spouses
According to a Globe and Mail reader survey, 71 per cent of respondents described their own parents’ divorce as non-amicable, while 33 per cent report seeing their ex-spouse at least once every week.
Obligated to interact through shared parenting duties and desirous to avoid the acrimonious tone often characterizing traditional divorces, many ex-spouses are now seeking a civilized way to work together, although apart.
Amicable exes may continue to vacation as a family, socialize with the same mutual friends, help each other out with chores, celebrate holidays together or even keep up weekly traditions such as Sunday family dinners.
Some choose to make living arrangements that facilitate cooperation and shared parenting. There‚ the retrofitted family home with each parent occupying a separate unit while the kids roam freely in between them. Others ex-couples live in the same building, down the street or a few blocks away. Some even make bird nesting arrangements in which the kids stay put in the family home while each parent takes turns living in so that neither becomes the permanent ‚Äúweekend parent‚Äù.
Achieving an amicable post-divorce life may not work in every case, but many couples benefit by starting the process on a more cooperative note through out-of-court alternatives such as collaborative divorce and mediation. The lawyers at Peterson Stark Scott are available to help with both avenues.