At Settle Now Online we use Interest Based Negotiation to help couples reach settlements.
We use a five step approach which has been proved the effective for method to reach settlement:
Step one – what is important to you?
The first question is what is important to you coming out of the separation. Is it dignity? The best interests of your children? Getting on with your life? Obtaining a reasonable settlement? All of these and more?
Once you decide what is important then your negotiations can focus on success. Both you and your spouse will share many common goals and only have a few areas where your interests could conflict.
Step two – what do we need to talk about?
What do the two of you need to settle? What about the house? The kids? How will you pay bills? How will you share financial responsibilities? How will support be paid? How will you pay your debts? How can you parent together?
Once we know what we need to talk about, we have a complete agenda to help ensure a successful negotiation.
Step three – what information do we need?
You need accurate and understandable information to be able to make decisions and come up with options. At settlenow.online we give you comprehensive guidance as to the information you both need about your finances and about your children that help ensure you are both fully informed before you make any life-changing decisions.
Make sure you have information you need.
Step four – with choices do we have?
There are many choices you and your spouse may have. Who is going to keep the house or should it be sold? What type of parenting arrangement can we set up for the kids? How much support do we need to pay? What activities can we put the children in and how can we decide that? How would we pay our debts? How do we divide our assets?
Generally, there are several different ways that each of you can address your fundamental needs.
Most of the time, separating couples can both get what they want.
You get there by cooperation not competition.
Step five – what can we agree to?
Once you know what you want, know what you need to decide, have the information and have some options, you are in a position to come to an agreement. You need to understand the information you have and how that can help you meet your needs to make an informed decision.
Most couples can go back and forth and realize that there are only ever a few points they genuinely disagree about. If you are prepared to agree to outside standards such as what a judge might do as a guide to decide you are likely to get to the agreement.
By spending the time and making the commitment to negotiate in good faith in an interest-based process you and your spouse have a great opportunity for success!