Conscious Uncoupling and Other Methods for Achieving a Conflict-Free Divorce

 Posted on June 23, 2014 in Family Law

The announcement of actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay's Chris Martin's divorce had the internet abuzz in March, with much of the attention surrounding what they're calling a “conscious uncoupling”. The concept of conscious uncoupling, along with other forms of alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation, present amicable approaches for families going through divorce.

Katherine Woodward Thomas and Conscious Uncoupling 

Katherine Woodward Thomas is a relationship expert and bestselling author who believes that she has found the key for consciously ending a relationship on positive terms for both parties. Through the Conscious Uncoupling 5 Week Program, Thomas promises a conflict-free approach to the ending of relationships by assisting couples in the avoidance of what Woodward sees as “three main breakup mistakes that cause suffering, steal joy and prevent love.” Both non-married couples, as well as those going through divorces, such as Paltrow, tout the benefits of the program, which can be taken online via Woodward's website. The main theory of conscious uncoupling revolves around the expression and release of painful emotions that are ever present when a couple ends their union. Conscious uncoupling is in no way a replacement for the actual divorce process, but it can and has been used as a means to help facilitate a conflict-free divorce.

The Divorce Mediation Process

Along with carrying out traditional divorce proceedings, a skilled attorney versed in family law can also offer mediation services in order to create an amicable end to your marriage. Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process whereby financial and parenting decisions are made through the guidance of a trained mediator. While mediation does not result in a binding order, it can prevent a couple from having to go to divorce court in order to determine issues such as child custody and visitation, spousal alimony, asset and property division, and debt division. Importantly, if a settlement is not reached, the case can still be moved to divorce court for resolution. Mediation has many benefits beyond not requiring parties to go to divorce court, which include:

• Saving substantial time and money that would be expended at divorce court;
• Decreasing the degree of acrimony between both parties;
• Providing both parties with control over important decisions, instead of placing them in the hand of the court system; and
• Providing a higher degree of privacy than would be available in court proceedings.