While divorce may be inevitable, the path to divorce is not. And family lawyers may have more influence than we realize. Collaborative divorce provides a team of specially trained attorneys and other professionals to guide clients through the divorce process without going to court. But what if the collaborative process is not available to a client? Don’t worry. Even in litigation, there are attorneys who leverage collaborative tools to create that “good divorce” … [Read more...]
Using the “F” Word In Divorce
In a divorce case, we have a rule about not using the “F’ word. No, it is not that word, but it is the word “Fair”. Everyone wants a fair divorce settlement, but exactly what’s “fair”? There are two major issues that must be resolved in any divorce–how to divide assets and what to do about the kids. The major financial issues are to determine what assets belong to the community estate and what assets are separate property, who will pay child support, the amount of child … [Read more...]
A Comparison of Collaborative vs. Litigated Divorces (Part Two)
There was a significant difference in the way financial professionals are used in collaborative and litigation divorces. A little over half the collaborative divorces used one financial professional, while most litigated divorces either used no financial professional or dueling financial professionals (with one for each side). This difference would happen one time in 100 by chance. We found a similar significant difference in the pattern of how mental health professionals are used in … [Read more...]
A Comparison of Collaborative vs. Litigated Divorces (Part One)
A version of this article, by Harry Munsinger, a partner in San Antonio family law firm Munsinger & Munsinger, and Michael Gallery, owner of OPIS Consultants in Highland Village, Texas, appeared in the latest edition of Roadmap, a newsletter for Collaborative Law Institute of Texas professionals. This is the first of two parts. The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals found that most collaborative divorces resolve within eight months, well over ninety percent settle, … [Read more...]
“Your Divorce May Be the Best Thing That’s Ever Happened to You”
The Collaborative Law Institute of Texas is proud to be featuring Honorée Corder, author of If Divorce is a Game, These are the Rules Business Dating and Vision to Reality, as the featured speaker at the organization’s 10th Annual Luncheon at the Advanced Family Law Conference in San Antonio on August 4. Corder’s perspective on divorce (and, in particular, bouncing back from divorce) is refreshing and completely in line with what collaborative divorce advocates seek for their clients -- … [Read more...]
How to Avoid a Nasty and Costly Divorce War
This article is from Jack H. Emmott, a Collaborative Law Institute of Texas member and a family law attorney in Gray Reed and McGraw, P.C.'s Houston office. A few weeks ago, Today (NBC's popular morning show) did a fantastic piece on collaborative law that I think is worth viewing. Texas’ own T. Boone Pickens was mentioned in the piece which contains a treasure trove of ideas about the collaborative practice we love. It mentions a new book, 37 Things I Wish I’d Known Before My Divorce, by … [Read more...]
A Story That Still Has Relevance: Revisiting the Geskys
Tom and Michelle Gesky are one of the best-known couples to have gone through collaborative divorce, in part because of the media interviews they were willing to do to help spread the word about collaborative law. Though it's been ten years since the New York couple started down the road to divorce, their story is still a fantastic example of how a couple can opt for the collaborative option and improve the process for themselves and their children. Coverage of the case included this article … [Read more...]
