From incompatibility to infidelity, there are different reasons that couples decide to divorce. For many, however, money troubles appear to be the root cause of the couples’ problems.

Divorce can be an emotional experience for both spouses. For children, it can be one of the most difficult periods in their life. When one parent moves away from the other and children are involved, however, the process becomes even more complex.

Minnesota is leading the nation in proving adversarial court proceedings are not always the best option for deciding the most contentious issues in a divorce. In fact, sometimes the best way to resolve emotionally taxing issues like child custody, parenting time and spousal support is by giving the divorcing couples the opportunity to resolve these issues themselves, and to do so early in the process. With a little help, of course.

Bristol Palin, daughter of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, recently sued her ex-boyfriend Levi Johnston for more child support money. Johnston, the father of their 1-year-old child, is more than $18,000 behind on child support payments, according to the complaint.

There are alternative ways to resolve divorce disputes without the need for prolonged, costly litigation. For people seeking a more amicable, less expensive and more expeditious way to resolve differences in a divorce, mediation and collaborative law might be an approach to consider.