I have been providing business valuations, characterization analysis and financial services for divorcing couples for over thirty years in Central Texas. I often tell clients considering a divorce that I believe the Collaborative process is the better of the bad, when compared to going through the challenges of a litigated divorce. There are many benefits for couples working toward their new … [Read more...] about Divorce and Money – Covering All The Bases
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What Is the Role of Custody Evaluations in a Divorce?
The role of custody evaluations in a divorce is to determine what is in the best interest of the children. A child custody evaluator will gather information from interviews with the family and also by gathering documentation, from the parties as well as other “collaterals” such as neighbors, teachers, therapists, etc. The evaluation will then decide what is the children's best interest going … [Read more...] about What Is the Role of Custody Evaluations in a Divorce?
Visitation And Residency Restrictions – Time And Distance Is The “Driver”
When clients are considering their proposed visitation/possession schedule or residency restriction, whether they are preparing for negotiation, option building, or requested relief from a Court, there are certain overriding issues they should consider. Clients who are considering something other than standard possession and residency restrictions should begin by thinking about the … [Read more...] about Visitation And Residency Restrictions – Time And Distance Is The “Driver”
What Does “Collaborative” Mean?
an a process that involves pain, grief, anger, fear, and so many other emotions ever be called ‘collaborative’? Collaborative divorce is a legal process that has evolved over several decades influenced by professionals (including judges, attorneys, mental health professionals, and financial processionals) who saw the negative impact of the traditional litigation divorce process on the … [Read more...] about What Does “Collaborative” Mean?
In Resolving Divorce and Child Custody Disputes What Do Truth and Justice Mean?
In March of this year at the State Bar of Texas Annual Collaborative Law Conference I delivered the closing speech. This was the third time in a row I was asked to be the last speaker at the Conference. In 2020 I talked about The Power of Hope. In 2021 I spoke on Love in Time of COVID. In 2022 I spoke on The Love of the Game. I replayed videos of my interviews with … [Read more...] about In Resolving Divorce and Child Custody Disputes What Do Truth and Justice Mean?
Collaborative Divorce: Preserving Relationships Post-Divorce
I recently lost a family member to cancer. Some people might not think of us as family, because he was my ex-husband. But because we divorced collaboratively, we were able to remain family from the very beginning of the divorce process up until I held his hand on his deathbed. As hard as it has been watching my children lose their dad, it has also been reassuring knowing that our sons felt loved, … [Read more...] about Collaborative Divorce: Preserving Relationships Post-Divorce
Divorce and Rising Interest Rates
Divorce already takes an emotional, mental, and financial toll on the family. The current real estate market has added to that with increasing interest rates, declining house prices and diminishing values in certain asset accounts Nationwide, there’s a shortage of available houses – especially at lower price points – compared to the number of would-be homebuyers. For a while, there was tons of … [Read more...] about Divorce and Rising Interest Rates
Common Sense: Smart Clients Understand
Many clients think they are savvy negotiators, but they often fail to understand how their behaviors and attitudes towards each other throughout any divorce process effects the end result. What you and I see as common-sense negotiation tactics, are anything but that to our highly agitated divorce clients. We have all seen the Wife make digs at the unfaithful husband continuously … [Read more...] about Common Sense: Smart Clients Understand
Three Texas-Sized Divorce e-Myths
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 frequently-asked questions about divorce. There is quite a bit of misinformation on the internet today about … [Read more...] about Three Texas-Sized Divorce e-Myths
When is Collaborative Law the Best Solution to Divorce?
At the beginning of the collaborative process all parties must sign an agreement that they will not go to court. As a result, if the process does not work, the attorneys must withdraw, and the parties must select new attorneys. In Dallas and Austin collaborative law is well-known as an option that works well for some couples seeking a divorce. In Houston, collaborative divorce is gradually … [Read more...] about When is Collaborative Law the Best Solution to Divorce?