The Concept of Fair in Collaborative Divorce What is FAIR? A state-wide event that comes to Dallas every OctoberIn the eye of the beholderA purely subjective term A four letter wordAn ineffective approach to divorceAccording to Webster : Fair is In accordance with rules or standards; Without cheating or trying to achieve unjust advantage In Collaborative Divorce, replaced with the word … [Read more...] about What is Fair for Me in a Divorce?
Collaborative Divorce
How Long Will it Take for me to get Divorced?
As with any problem, to answer that question depends on how you choose to tackle the process. Where you begin often dictates where you end up. As you consider your divorce options, you might begin by asking yourself: 1) How emotionally entrenched are you or your spouse in your respective ‘positions’? 2) What factors are you willing to compromise on in order to divorce more quickly? 3) … [Read more...] about How Long Will it Take for me to get Divorced?
How to Talk to Your Children about Divorce
One of the most difficult tasks a family faces when confronting divorce is telling their children that a divorce is going to happen. Parents often ask what is the best way to convey this news to their children? While this information is never easy to present, there are ways to do it which can reduce the negative impact on your children and allow for a better adjustment for everyone. Timing … [Read more...] about How to Talk to Your Children about Divorce
What is a Gray Divorce?
The term Gray Divorce, relates to persons who were born between,1946 and 1971--the Baby Boomer Generation--those who are 50 or older and who are now considering divorce. A Gray Divorce is called that for obvious reasons—they are folks who are over 50 and who are literally or at least figuratively turning gray. The whole idea of a Gray Divorce market is a surprise to some. Many people are … [Read more...] about What is a Gray Divorce?
Social Media and Divorce
There have been many studies conducted in recent years discussing the negative impact of social media on relationships and marriages. The negative impact is even greater on relationships and divorces. Lawyers have seen an increase in the number of cases using social networking evidence in divorce actions. Social media and social networking can be a great tool for communicating about … [Read more...] about Social Media and Divorce
What’s Going to Happen to my Grandbabies?
A question frequently asked of family lawyers is “what are my rights as a grandparent”? Over the years the answer to this question has changed. Until 2000, the State of Texas frequently granted grandparent access when they could show that visitation was in the child’s best interest. In the year 2000, the United States Supreme Court issued an opinion affecting grandparent rights in Troxel vs … [Read more...] about What’s Going to Happen to my Grandbabies?
Three Texas-Sized Divorce e-Myths
There is quite a bit of misinformation on the internet today about divorce laws in Texas. In the post-information age in which we live, we can literally find an answer to any question within seconds at the touch of a button or a question to Alexa. However, finding accurate and relevant information can be much more challenging, especially when it comes to finding answers to … [Read more...] about Three Texas-Sized Divorce e-Myths
Collaborative Divorce is More than an Agreed Divorce
Most divorce and other family law cases are settled before going to trial. If you and your spouse have divorce issues to resolve, we believe collaborative divorce is the best process for resolving those issues. However, if you and your spouse have already agreed to all the issues in your case, collaborative divorce is not for you. All divorces have basic legal requirements so it is always … [Read more...] about Collaborative Divorce is More than an Agreed Divorce
3 Reasons to Go Collaborative
Cost Benefit Value of a Collaborative Divorce “How much will my divorce cost me?” is a loaded question. The cost of divorce is much more than dollars and cents. By choosing collaborative divorce you create value in the opportunity to gain knowledge and insight into both your family and the divorce process and how you and your family can work through divorce and come out stronger on the other … [Read more...] about 3 Reasons to Go Collaborative
Child Support in the Collaborative Divorce Process
The question is often asked “How is Child Support calculated?” In Texas, the state’s Family Code dictates that child support will be a percentage of the paying parent’s income, regardless of the children’s needs (except in limited circumstances). The child support amount determined by a judge cannot take into account the non-paying parent’s income. It is a model known as the “Percentage of … [Read more...] about Child Support in the Collaborative Divorce Process
Child Custody/ Parenting Time Issues in a Collaborative Divorce
Child custody and parenting time issues in a divorce can be one of the most gut-wrenching and difficult issues for parents to address. For most people, the thought of not being able to see their kids every day is difficult to accept. For those folks who are contemplating divorce but have minor children, the collaborative divorce process can provide the tools to help these families transition to … [Read more...] about Child Custody/ Parenting Time Issues in a Collaborative Divorce
Keeping Calm in the Midst of a Divorce
11 Tips to Help You Stay Calm During a Divorce Divorce can be one of the most difficult stresses an individual may ever experience. It can leave a person feeling sad, hurt, angry, confused, overwhelmed, and fearful of the future. This is especially true if the divorce is unwanted or unexpected. It is quite normal to feel a wide range of different emotions and it may seem as if your world has … [Read more...] about Keeping Calm in the Midst of a Divorce
The Team Approach in Collaborative Cases
The team approach is a distinct aspect of a collaborative divorce. In most divorces when the spouses choose to litigate, they and their lawyers face each other in a zero sum game focused on “beating” the other side. In the collaborative divorce process, each spouse hires their own collaborative lawyer, and then the two lawyers help the clients assemble a ‘team’ with two neutral professionals. … [Read more...] about The Team Approach in Collaborative Cases
The Cost of Collaborative Divorce versus Litigation
Is a Collaborative Divorce more affordable than Litigation? The cost ultimately depends on many different factors such as how committed both parties are to reaching an agreement and the rates charged by the professionals chosen as part of your team. By choosing collaborative divorce, individuals can agree on the essential issues and agree on a plan for addressing those issues moving forward. … [Read more...] about The Cost of Collaborative Divorce versus Litigation
Mediation as a Tool in Collaborative Divorce
Can Mediation and Collaborative be used in tandem? Collaborative Divorce is a form of dispute resolution for divorcing couples which provides a highly specific roadmap for negotiation. The parties focus on their goals and interests, gather all the relevant information, then creatively seek options for each issue in conflict. While this model is structured and self determinative, it also is … [Read more...] about Mediation as a Tool in Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative Divorce and Your Children
It's Time to Divorce. What about the impact on your children? You have exhausted all efforts to stay together. You and your spouse agree on one thing and one thing only - it’s time to separate and file for divorce. But what about the impact on your children? How can you make it any easier for them? Is that even possible? You can’t even stand to look at your spouse, much less work together to … [Read more...] about Collaborative Divorce and Your Children
Is Collaborative Divorce the Same as Mediation?
“Collaborative Divorce – that’s like mediation, right?” I can’t count the number of times I have heard that question. Collaborative divorce has been in Texas over 15 years, but people still don’t know what it is. It’s true that mediation and collaborative divorce are both “Alternative Dispute Resolution” methods. They each provide a path for divorcing couples to avoid having a judge or jury … [Read more...] about Is Collaborative Divorce the Same as Mediation?
Futility on the Offensive
4 Reasons (Otherwise) Perfectly Rational Couples Choose to Litigate Rather Than Collaborate During Divorce. Divorcing couples confront many difficult choices: Where to live, how to parent, what to communicate, whether to forgive, and so on. Ironically, one of the choices given the shortest shrift is also one of the most important ones: “How to Get Divorced.” Yes, just as there is more than one … [Read more...] about Futility on the Offensive