Who are Divorce Counsellors?

Most of these couples who opt for a divorce want it to be amicable and hassle-free. But in today�s competitive world, the lawyers want the best for their clients and with this intention, they tend to make the entire divorce case so complicated that the couples end up being bitter enemies for life.

This problem can be sorted out by opting for a counsellor or mediator.

Who are Divorce Counsellors?

A divorce counsellor is a person who offers solutions which are not competitive but collaborative in nature. The counsellor is a neutral person who lends a patient ear to the concerns of both the parties and tries to offer an amicable solution acceptable to both. This concept of mediation is fast catching up and sidelining the traditional approach towards divorce.

A divorce counsellor�s aim is to end a relationship between a couple with dignity and respect. It is recommended for everyone going through a divorce to seek the assistance of a professional counsellor.

How to Choose a Divorce Counsellor

If both the partners have agreed to go in for a divorce, it is best to hire a divorce counsellor to ensure that things go smoothly for both of you. There are as many divorce counsellors as there are lawyers and it is equally difficult to choose a good one. There are certain things one should keep in mind in order to hire the right divorce counsellor:

• Experience and Training

Previous training in mediation and experience in handling cases is a prerequisite for hiring a divorce counsellor. He may be a licensed practitioner and trained in maintaining a neutral stand when there are disagreements between you and your spouse. The main aim of hiring a divorce counsellor is to sort out differences and conflicts arising out of divorce in a more civilised manner.

There are many divorce counsellors who are also solicitors who handle legal proceedings during a divorce along with counselling sessions for both the spouses. There are also some divorce counsellors who are mental health professionals and who work hand-in-hand with the divorce solicitor in taking forward the divorce. Choosing a right counsellor is essential to accomplish the best results.

• Knowledge of Family Law

The process of divorce contains a lot of hidden rules that should be highlighted as and when required. Though the divorce counsellor need not necessarily be a solicitor, it is always good to hire a counsellor who has the knowledge of family law and is able to tell you what is required to make the process of divorce sail smoothly.

He or she should have the knowledge of child visitation norms, child custody rights and rules pertaining to the division of assets. Though both of you may have already agreed on the ways to handle these, the counsellor should be able to tell you the pros and cons of such decisions.

• Trustworthiness

You will be sharing your most personal information with the counsellor. Hence, looking for a counsellor, with whom both of you are comfortable and both of you can rely upon is always advisable. The trust factor should be thoroughly checked before hiring a counsellor. A quick background check from the counsellor�s previous clients will do no harm. It will help in building the trust to discuss matters related to financial settlement and other embarrassing divorce-related issues.

Basic Pre-requisites for Counselling

When you are aware that your marriage has broken down completely and divorce is the only option left, you need to keep in mind a few things before going ahead with your divorce.

It is necessary that both the partners attend the counselling sessions together in order make counselling a success. The couple should have faith in the process of counselling and keep their egos aside. They should come with an open mind to solve the conflicts arising out of a disagreement and not indulge in �blame-game�.

The Final Word

A divorce is never an easy task and often has heart-breaking impact on everybody concerned with it. A more mature behaviour in handling the proceedings of divorce can minimise its impact. Making divorce as painless as possible greatly depends on your divorce counsellor.

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