What is the Collaborative Law Process?

___The Collaborative Law Process is fairly new to Texas and provides an innovative approach to resolving legal conflicts. It is specifically recognized for the first time in the Texas Family Code as an alternative dispute resolution method.

The parties who choose this process and their attorneys are dedicated to resolving all disputes fairly with minimal conflict and without resorting to litigation.

All matters that require the approval of the Court are negotiated and the parties must fully agree before anything is ever presented to the Court.

The collaborative process has been used in the Austin, Texas area for approximately ten years.

Several other states, notably Ohio, Minnesota and California, have successfully used this process over the past twenty years.

The dynamic of the Collaborative Law Process allows everyone to work as a team to try and minimize the adversarial nature inherent in many family law matters. The parties try to resolve conflicts through full voluntary disclosure in a cooperative and
professional manner. We have a number of financial and mental health professionals in the Austin area who work with us using the team approach.

Additional information on collaborative law can be found at the following websites: www.collablawtexas.com (Collaborative Law Institute of Texas); www.collaborativepractice.com (International Academy of Collaborative Professionals); and www.divorcenet.com/states/california/cafaq10 (Article by Pauline Tessler).

©2008 Central Texas Collaborative
Family Lawyers