Weddings are big business. Industries engaged in helping a couple orchestrate a blissful big day to kick off their union generate billions in revenue each year. It’s customary for couples to plan together to create their dream wedding, hopefully followed by a fantastic honeymoon and happily ever after.

What if couples similarly planned how to go their separate ways? It’s not commonplace for quarreling spouses to put painful feelings aside and work as a team. However, collaborative divorce shows that spouses (and their children) can immensely benefit from jointly making decisions impacting the future of the family, even when the future entails separate households.