How to Navigate Divorce Without Drama
Calabrese Budner Offers A Modern Approach to Untying the Knot
BY PC Studios // 03.07.25
Carla Calabrese and Lee Budner.
This article is promoted/partner content and not produced by the editorial staff.
Picture this: Sarah and James, who have been married for 25 years, realize their paths have diverged. They’re both successful professionals with a considerable nest egg, two adult children, and a shared love of their family. They want to part ways amicably, preserve their wealth, and ensure that they can still enjoy family milestones together. Or, consider Mark and Lisa, high-profile executives who value their privacy. They’re looking for a discreet way to end their marriage without airing their personal matters in a public courtroom. Then there are Emily and David, young parents who want to prioritize their children’s well-being and maintain a cordial relationship post-divorce, all while keeping costs manageable
These scenarios might seem like pipe dreams in the world of divorce, but there’s a revolutionary approach that’s changing the game for couples seeking a more civilized split.
The Evolution of Divorce
Gone are the days when divorce automatically meant bitter courtroom battles and depleted bank accounts. Today’s savvy couples are opting for a more refined approach that prioritizes mutual respect, financial preservation, and family harmony.
A Team Effort: Your Divorce Dream Team
Imagine having a dedicated team of professionals working together to ensure that your divorce proceeds smoothly and without rancor. This dream team typically includes:
– Attorneys for both spouses.
– A neutral financial professional.
– A neutral mental health professional.
This ensemble works in tandem to address all aspects of your separation, from legal intricacies to emotional well-being and financial planning.
Creative Problem Solving
Divorce does not have to be a financial debacle. Couples can choose instead to take an approach that focuses on teamwork, expertise, and ingenuity that fits their unique circumstances to maximize the financial outcome for each party and to preserve family relationships. Instead of fighting over every penny, the team works in conjunction to:
– Explore innovative asset division strategies.
– Preserve family businesses and investments.
– Analyze cash flow and long-term viability of divorce settlements.
The goal is not only to divide assets, but to create a financial plan that sets each party up for success in their new chapter.
Fostering Future Harmony
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this modern divorce approach is its focus on preserving relationships. By working together rather than against each other, couples can:
– Create a foundation for positive co-parenting.
– Focus on the emotional well-being of themselves and their children.
– Assure that they can comfortably attend family events together by setting the stage for continued family traditions and milestones and allowing the grace for establishing new traditions.
Working Together
The team approach follows a structured path designed to address all aspects of divorce efficiently and effectively:
– Initial Assessment: Both spouses meet with their respective attorneys to discuss goals and concerns.
– Team Assembly: A tailored team of professionals is assembled to work with the lawyers to assist the couple in the divorce process, including a financial professional and a mental health professional.
– Information Gathering: All relevant financial and personal information is collected and shared to assure transparency in the process.
– Issue Identification: The team works together with the couple to identify all issues that need to be resolved.
– Creative Problem-Solving: Through a series of meetings, the team and the couple brainstorm and negotiate resolution that benefit both spouses.
– Agreement Drafting: Once solutions are agreed upon, attorneys draft the necessary legal documents.
– Final Review and Signing: Both spouses review and sign the agreement making it official.
Benefits Beyond the Obvious
While the primary advantages of this approach are clear — cost-effectiveness, privacy, and relationship preservation — there are additional benefits to consider:
– Empowerment: Both spouses actively participate in shaping their post- divorce lives.
– Customization: Solutions are tailored to each family’s unique situation.
– Efficiency: The process is often faster and always more efficient than traditional litigation.
– Reduced Stress: A collaborative environment minimizes conflict and emotional strain.
The Future of Divorce
So, what is Collaborative Divorce? As more couples recognize the benefits of this approach, it’s likely to become the new norm for divorce. It represents a paradigm shift from viewing divorce as a battle to instead seeing divorce as a transition — one that, when handled with empathy, expertise, and white-glove treatment, can lead to positive outcomes for all involved.
Conclusion: It’s a New Chapter, Not the End of the Book
Divorce does not have to be the end of your family story — divorce can be the beginning of a new chapter. By choosing Collaborative Divorce, you’re not just ending your marriage; you’re laying the foundation for a future where family bonds remain strong, finances are secure, and new beginnings are embraced with dignity and grace.
In the grand tapestry of life, divorce is a delicate thread — one that, when woven with care, can create a positive new pattern rather than unraveling the fabric. At Calabrese Budner, we can help you rewrite the divorce narrative, focusing on Emotionally Intelligent Divorce®, turning divorce from a tale of loss and conflict into a story of growth, understanding, and new beginnings.
Elisa Reiter, a senior attorney with Calabrese Budner in Dallas, is board certified in family law and in child welfare law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She serves as an adjunct professor at SMU Dedman School of Law. Reiter balances litigation and collaborative law in her practice. A prolific author, her work has appeared in Texas Lawyer, New York Law Journal, Los Angeles Lawyer, and National Law Journal.
Carla Calabrese is managing partner at Calabrese Budner. With a balance of tenacity and level-headedness, and more than 35 years of family law experience under her belt, she primarily handles divorces and marital agreements for high- net-worth clients with complex property and business issues. As a Master Credentialed Collaborative Divorce attorney (one of only a few in the Dallas area) and a pioneer of Emotionally Intelligent Divorce®, Calabrese skillfully navigates and guides her clients through the tumult of emotions that accompany the ending of a marriage.
To learn more about Calabrese Budner and their expertise, visit calabresebudner.com.