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Why is Collaborative Divorce Better in a High Net Worth Divorce?
By Jennifer Piper• June 24, 2026Posted in
Collaborative Divorce can be especially beneficial in high net worth divorce cases because it offers greater privacy, allows financial experts to work jointly, reduces unnecessary conflict, and helps keep sensitive personal and business information out of the public eye. Privacy Matters in High Net Worth Divorce Cases When you have substantial assets, privacy becomes one of the biggest concerns during a divorce. Collaborative Divorce gives you the opportunity to discuss your financial matters in a confidential office setting instead of a public courtroom. In a litigated divorce, court hearings are open to the public. Anyone can sit in the courtroom and hear all the details about your finances, property, debts, businesses, and personal matters. In a high-profile divorce, media representatives may attend hearings and report…
What Happens If Your Spouse Doesn’t Want a Divorce?
By Jennifer Piper• July 13, 2026Posted in
If your spouse does not want a divorce, they can slow the divorce process by refusing to cooperate, but they cannot prevent the divorce from happening. In Missouri, one spouse does not need the other’s agreement to end the marriage. Collaborative Divorce and Mediation can help both you and your spouse communicate, address concerns, and better understand the issues that are making the divorce difficult to accept. Your Spouse Cannot Stop the Divorce One of the most common questions people have is whether their spouse can prevent a divorce simply by refusing to agree to it. In Missouri, the answer is no. If you no longer want to remain married, the court will ultimately grant the divorce. A spouse who opposes the divorce can delay…
Can Mediation or Collaborative Divorce Work in a High-Conflict Divorce?
By Jennifer Piper• July 6, 2026Posted in
If you and your spouse are constantly arguing, a high-conflict divorce does not automatically mean you have to go to court. Mediation and Collaborative Divorce can help you resolve issues, exchange information, and reach workable solutions while avoiding the time, expense, and stress that fighting it out in court frequently creates. High-Conflict Does Not Mean Court Is Your Only Option Many people assume that when there is significant conflict in a divorce, litigation is the only path forward. Many high-conflict divorces are successfully resolved through no court options such as Mediation or Collaborative Divorce. The key factor is not whether you and your spouse like each other. The key factor is whether you are both willing to participate in the divorce process, provide the required…
6 Steps in the Collaborative Divorce Process
By Jennifer Piper• March 4, 2026Posted in
In a Collaborative Divorce, you and your spouse choose a team of divorce professionals to help you resolve your divorce privately and respectfully. You each hire your own collaboratively trained attorney, select a divorce coach, a financial professional and child specialist if needed. You meet as a team to address parenting, finances, and any urgent concerns. When you reach a final agreement, the documents are drafted, reviewed, signed and then filed with the court for final approval. Step 1: Choose a Collaborative Attorney The first step in a Collaborative Divorce is finding a Collaborative Divorce attorney you feel comfortable with and want to work with. If your spouse already has a collaborative attorney, the two attorneys will begin talking about how the Collaborative Divorce process…
Why You Should Choose Collaborative Divorce
By Jennifer Piper• November 20, 2023Posted in
Collaborative Divorce is a divorce process that has gained popularity because it offers a more amicable and efficient way to navigate the divorce process versus the option of going to court. Here are some of the benefits of Collaborative Divorce: 1. Control and Privacy One of the primary advantages of opting for Collaborative Divorce is the increased level of control over the proceedings. Collaborative Divorce empowers you to have more say in the decisions that will shape your future. Unlike the public nature of courtroom proceedings, Collaborative Divorce offers a significant degree of privacy, preventing personal details and sensitive information from becoming public knowledge. This includes financial records, medical information, and other confidential aspects that you may not want to share publicly. 2. Open Communication…
St. Louis Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Jennifer Piper Featured On The Respectful Divorce Podcast
By Jennifer Piper• February 18, 2025Posted in
St. Louis Collaborative Divorce Attorney Jennifer Piper was recently a guest featured on The Respectful Divorce podcast discussing the upcoming Divorce With Respect Week® initiative and the no-court Collaborative Divorce process. The Respectful Divorce Podcast is hosted by Tim Crouch and highlights divorce professionals discussing the different options for divorce. “My parents had a terrible divorce and I knew how that affected me as a child,” said Piper. “I was dragged to the courthouse and it wasn’t pleasant. It still affects me to this day and I don’t recommend it for anyone. What I do recommend is the Collaborative Divorce process because it’s not designed to fight, the clients are more involved, and you don’t have to deal with court and your private information being…
Gray Divorce: Why Mediation and Collaborative Divorce Are Better Divorce Options
By Jennifer Piper• July 21, 2025Posted in
For those divorcing after 50, Mediation and Collaborative Divorce offer a more thoughtful, flexible, and less stressful alternative to court. These approaches allow you to address unique concerns like retirement, health care, estate planning, and family dynamics, helping you protect your legacy and move forward with greater peace of mind. Divorce Over 50 Brings Different Priorities When you divorce later in life, your concerns often look different from those of younger couples. You might be thinking about retirement income, long-term health care, estate plans, or even how your adult children will be affected. A divorce court is not set up to handle those kinds of concerns in a meaningful way. That is why choosing an amicable option, such as Mediation or Collaborative Divorce can be…
Who Is Eligible For Collaborative Divorce and Who Is Not?
By Jennifer Piper• May 27, 2024Posted in
Collaborative Divorce is an excellent option for many couples seeking to end their marriage amicably and efficiently. However, there may be some cases that are better than others for Collaborative Divorce than others. Eligibility for Collaborative Divorce Who Might Not Be Eligible Conclusion Collaborative Divorce can be a valuable option for many couples seeking to end their marriage with dignity and respect. Ultimately, the key is to find an approach to divorce that best meets the needs and circumstances of you and your spouse. Contact Family Ally If you have questions or need legal assistance regarding Collaborative Divorce or any other family law matter, please contact Jennifer Piper at 314-449-9800 to schedule a consultation. Family Ally is located at 130 S. Bemiston Ave., Suite 608, St. Louis, MO…
Why Are There More Gray Divorces?
By Jennifer Piper• August 25, 2026Posted in
Why More Older Couples Are Choosing to Divorce Gray divorce or an over 50 divorce is increasing because people are living longer than previous generations. A couple in their 60s or 70s may have decades ahead of them, which leads many to think carefully about how to spend those years and many are choosing to divorce. Divorce is much more socially accepted than it was several decades ago, so that deciding to leave an unhappy marriage is now viewed as a realistic option. Retirement Brings New Priorities Into Focus Retirement is a major life transition that can reveal differences that were easy to overlook while raising children or building careers. When daily routines change, you and your spouse may discover that you have very different…
How to Calm Your Worries and Fears in a Divorce
By Jennifer Piper• June 10, 2026Posted in
Fear during divorce comes from uncertainty about your future, finances, parenting, and the legal process. Mediation and Collaborative Divorce help reduce that fear by providing more information, emotional support, and a less adversarial environment. With guidance from financial professionals and divorce coaches, you gain a better understanding of your options, more control over decisions, and a clearer path forward for your future. Fear in A Divorce Comes from the Unknown One of the biggest issues people face during their divorce is fear. Worries about finances, parenting time, the legal process, or simply not knowing what comes next can have a negative impact on the divorce process. You may feel uneasy because you do not fully understand your family’s financial picture or the decisions that need…