When the world lost Aretha Franklin on August 16, one of the more-surprising stories to make headlines was the fact that she did not have an estate plan. While many of the details of the administration of Franklin’s estate are likely to remain private, with an estimated net worth of $80 million, it is fair to say that her surviving family members will likely face some struggles along the way.

For many married couples, getting divorced is an amicable process that involves working together to reach a mutually-agreeable resolution. While the spouses may have their differences, they share the same ultimate goal of ending their marriage as quickly and inexpensively as possible, and this goal can be a powerful motivator when it comes to negotiating in good faith and with an eye toward the future.