I recently came across an article that had a title that caught my attention, “Time to Tend to Our Souls: Coronavirus May Allow Us to Address the Distractions that Separate Us from Each Other [and from God],” but when I checked the author and found out that he was from a more conservative denomination and theology than I subscribe to, I sat it aside, thinking I would try to get back to it when I had time. A couple of times, in cleaning up my piles of newspapers, I almost threw it away without … [Read more...]
5 Things To Do Now in the Midst of Coronavirus Limitations
Coronavirus or COVID-19 is creating all kinds of havoc in our lives and in business. Here at The Crouch Group, we have some recommendations for how to manage during this crisis and hopefully emerge stronger after the crisis has passed. 1. Zoom We are great fans of Zoom. There are opportunities to conduct client meetings, webinars and even joint collaborative meetings by Zoom. Some of our California clients are offering the Divorce Options class by Zoom. … [Read more...]
Making Use of Virtual Collaborative Divorce Meetings During the Coronavirus Pandemic
As collaborative professionals we have the benefit of not having to prepare for and attend hearings in court except for obtaining uncontested divorces or agreed orders in suits affecting the parent-child relationship. Thus, we are not dependent upon the earnings we make from litigation unlike many other family lawyers, financial professionals, and MHP’s. Our economic welfare is solely dependent upon making the best use of the collaborative law process to resolve differences between parents and … [Read more...]
Practice Tip – The Financial Professional’s Job
The Financial Professional is an essential member of the collaborative team, but some attorneys and clients are not clear how to use their unique skills to enhance the collaborative process. To help attorneys and clients who are not familiar with the unique advantages of using a financial professional as a member of the collaborative team, consider the following roles that a financial professional may play. Gathering Assets Financial specialists are especially adept at finding all … [Read more...]
13th Annual Collaborative Law Conference Austin – March 5-6, 2020
As anxious as we all feel, it was reaffirming as a collaborative practitioner to attend this year’s Spring Conference in Austin. From the opening remarks about what has been accomplished in Texas over the last 20 years to John McShane’s militant cry that it’s time we directly challenge the family law litigators to the profound lyrics of Jack Emmott’s remarks about the presence of hope in our everyday lives, the conference had a lot to offer all the attendees. Austin’s Jonathan Friday … [Read more...]
Expanding Collaborative Divorce Marketing Efforts
What are we trying to accomplish when we announce that we are creating new marketing efforts in order to grow the use of the Collaborative Divorce Process in Texas? In one of my previous incarnations, I was an entertainment executive responsible for programming theaters and amphitheaters with live entertainment. I had a mentor who used very few words when he gave me advice on marketing: “Sell more tickets!!” I would sit back in my chair and think about that phrase over and over. … [Read more...]
Collaborative Divorce Is Priceless
Generally, a collaborative divorce will save your clients money compared with litigation, but any divorce will still be costly. However, the value of a collaborative divorce extends far beyond it’s financial cost because it offers a divorce centered around common family values, it’s child centered, preserves family relationships, leads to sound financial decisions, creates better communication within the family, generates a smoother transition, offers diversified professionals to handle … [Read more...]
Notice to Members
Dear members, please be aware that Collaborative Divorce Texas has scheduled several important events over the next few months and we want you to be aware of them. It’s good practice to take a look at your CDT website, log in to your account and make certain you have paid your dues. Also, make sure that all the information in your account is still accurate.https://members.collaborativedivorcetexas.com/become-a-member/membership-help/The CDT Spring Conference is scheduled for March 5 … [Read more...]
Helping Collaborative Families Through The Holidays
The holidays can be a stressful time for many clients if they are going through or have recently been divorced and are facing the holidays or an anniversary of the divorce. During and immediately after the holidays is a good time to help them adjust to the many changes brought about by a divorce. Plan Ahead The collaborative team can help parents and couples who are currently undergoing a divorce think about and plan how to handle holidays, anniversaries, and other special … [Read more...]
Benefits of Child Specialists in Collaborative Cases
Child specialists are underutilized in collaborative cases because teams and clients don’t understand the benefits of engaging a developmental professional to evaluate the children and give them a voice in the divorce process. Here are some tips to help your team and clients benefit from working with an experienced child specialist. Discuss the Benefits of a Child Specialist at the Beginning of a Case Experienced collaborative professionals know that children benefit from having … [Read more...]
Policies and Procedure Committee
Committee Mission Create, review, make recommendations, and potential changes in CDT’s policies and procedures. The Policy and Procedures Committee shall meet once yearly in person and by electronic means quarterly or as needed to accomplish the committee's goals. Workflow of the committee: Documents would be drafted and sent between members for review and feedback until the policy or procedure is ready for board review and then revised as needed. Goals of … [Read more...]
CDT Board Votes to Become Global IACP Partner
The CDT Board of Trustees Board at the September board meeting voted to become a Global Partner with the International Association of Collaborative Professionals (IACP). The Global Partnership is designed to bring organizations together to foster the growth of the global collaborative community by listing them on the IACP website, linking the various organizations in a single network, distributing conference announcements to members, and offering discounted memberships in IACP for all … [Read more...]
Helping High-Conflict Clients Communicate Effectively
Dealing with high-conflict clients presents special challenges to a collaborative team and it’s important to build trust from the beginning of the relationship if you want to effect change. Building trust with high conflict clients begins with giving these clients empathy, attention, and respect from the very beginning of your relationship with them. Empathy. Let your high-conflict clients know you understand getting a divorce is difficult for them. Don’t try to be a therapist, … [Read more...]
A Behind The Scenes Look At The Collaborative Divorce Texas Fund-Raising Committee
There are challenges and opportunities with all charitable non-profit organizations, such as Collaborative Divorce Texas. Of course, we all know Collaborative Divorce Texas is certainly more than a charitable non-profit organization. The fact remains that we, like other charitable non-profit organizations, rely on assistance from our members, and the public. One of the ways we can support Collaborative Divorce Texas is to donate. We can donate our time, effort and our … [Read more...]
To Credential or not to…Nope, Not is NOT an option
To all my collaborative colleagues who shudder at the thought of going through yet another certifying process to add to your already over-certified resume, I ask you to take a deep breath and take the plunge—if not to distinguish yourself, for the sake of lending credibility to the practice of collaborative divorce. We in the collaborative divorce world are continuing to fight for legitimacy of a process that we all believe in. But passion and faith are not enough to ensure that collaborative … [Read more...]
It Was Worth It
Why You Should Become a Credentialed Collaborative Professional I’m sure many collaborative professionals have wondered--like I did--whether getting the collaborative credential would be worth the effort. Collaborative Divorce Texas credentials aren’t pay-to-play like so many awards these days. You have to earn it, and it takes time and diligence. What do we all want? More collaborative cases! While I can’t prove the increase in my collaborative … [Read more...]
How To Get New Collaborative Cases
Everyone collaborative lawyer wants to know how to get more cases. There are several things you can do today to start bringing in more collaborative divorce cases to your practice. You won’t see immediate result, but if you persist, the cases will come and you will have a thriving collaborative practice before you know it. Getting New Collaborative Cases Is Up to You Begin by developing a basic marketing plan that tells clients what services you offer. Think about … [Read more...]
Conscious Uncoupling And Collaborative Divorce
More and more high-profile couples are announcing their divorces with a simple statement that they are calling it quits and consciously uncoupling. When the details surface, they are bland and uninteresting. How is that possible when the mavens of social media dig up dirt on everyone and publish it online immediately? The answer is that more and more public personalities are opting for a collaborative divorce that insures complete privacy. By choosing an amicable … [Read more...]
Adding A Neutral Financial Professional To The Team At The Beginning Of A Collaborative Case
Having a neutral financial professional on a collaborative team can make a big difference in how easily your collaborative case is resolved because the financial professional can help clients understand their assets, assist with tax issues related to the divorce as well as provide advice moving forward, and adjust to their reduced financial circumstances post-divorce. However, many clients resist adding a financial professional to the collaborative team because they worry that he or she … [Read more...]
An Inconvenient Truth: What The Legal System Tells Us About Children And Divorce
Report On Advanced Interdisciplinary Training Titled “An Inconvenient Truth: What the legal system tells us about children and divorce,” advanced training this year was presented by Carie Silvestri, Jennifer Leister, Melinda Eitzen, Honey Sheff, Curtis Harrison and Mickey Gayler. The trainers interviewed judges, attorneys, custody evaluators, mental health professionals, and attorneys ad litem to collect information about the effect of divorce on children. Their main … [Read more...]
Collaborative Divorce Branding Efforts Continue to Payoff
Report from Marketing Committee The CDT Marketing Committee launched an expanded statewide social media campaign in 2018. 2019 results in total CDT web traffic are dramatic with a 62.2% increase in web site visits since the end of Spring Conference and we are on track to accumulate over 75,000 visitors to the site this year. That would be an increase of 19,000 visitors to the website over 2018. The traffic from Texas to the site is up even more with a 98.29 percent increase … [Read more...]
New CDT Membership Benefits
As Chair of the Membership Committee, I and our committee members are always considering ways to provide you with greater benefits for your membership with Collaborative Divorce Texas. With our enhanced social media campaign that was launched just this last year, we have more and more people coming to our organization’s website to learn about the benefits of a Collaborative Divorce and find Collaborative Divorce professionals to represent them in the process. If you don’t have your membership … [Read more...]
Protocols of Practice – Policies and Procedures Committee
The Policies and Procedure Committee are working to revamp Protocols of Practice for Collaborative Divorce Texas members. The Protocols are designed to provide guidance and assistance to professionals using the collaborative process by utilizing a uniform approach to attain the best outcome for their clients. The protocols are to be used as a guideline, by professionals who are trained in the collaborative process. The protocols address the fundamentals of the process, the need to preserve … [Read more...]
Save Money Registering For Spring Conference
Here are eight possible ways you can save money when registering for the 12th Annual Collaborative Law Spring Conference March 7-8, 2019 at the Westin Galleria in Dallas: Early Registration: Register by February 21 and save $50.00. Go Green: Select the PDF download only and save $15.00. Membership Discount: CDT and Section Members save $25.00. Texas Bar College Member: Bar College members save $25.00. Texas Paralegal Member: Paralegal members … [Read more...]
Woody Mosten to Keynote 12th Annual Collaborative Conference
Collaborative Divorce Texas is excited to welcome Forrest (Woody) Mosten as our keynote speaker to the 12th Annual State Bar of Texas Course in Collaborative Law: "Avoid Breaking Bad When Breaking Up" in Dallas on March 7-8, 2019. Woody will be presenting "Guiding Your Client Through Difficult Situations" as the keynote of a conference focused on handling difficulties in Collaborative practice: difficult issues, difficult personalities, difficult tax questions, and difficult in launching and … [Read more...]
November Web Traffic Hits New High
One of the key elements of the Collaborative Divorce Texas public education campaign is to educate more people about the collaborative divorce. For the past 30 months, CDT has been using Social Media to introduce the collaborative divorce process and to drive traffic to the CDT Website. The campaign was expanded statewide in July and as a result web traffic has been growing to new levels. November web traffic reached a new high water mark with 6,731 visits to the website which … [Read more...]
CDT Board Of Trustees Meeting
The CDT Board of Trustees met Friday, November 9, 2018, in Austin to discuss several important issues affecting Collaborative Divorce Texas. Rick Soat presented a positive Treasurer’s Report showing that CDT’s budget is balanced even though we have significantly increased our investment in our Collaborative Divorce public education campaign. The Board of Trustees unanimously voted to engage Anderson Spector, a Denton CPA firm, to handle our accounting needs. We discussed … [Read more...]
How To Manage The Initial Client Meeting
How you manage the initial meeting with your client sets the tone for the entire divorce process, so make certain your first meeting is positive and constructive. It’s important to allow your client to tell you what is going on and how he or she feels, to review divorce options, deal with unrealistic expectations about the outcome of the divorce, explain your role as a collaborative attorney, outline the collaborative process, share the benefits of the various divorce options, and answer … [Read more...]
Letter From The President
Fall is a time for giving and for gratitude. It is also a time for reflection. When I think about the first several months of my presidency of CDT I am filled with gratitude: for the opportunity the collaborative process gives couples, and the professionals who help them, to restructure their families and lives; for the chance to work with the amazing and talented colleagues who share the same vision, hope and commitment; for the members of CDT who support both the process and our organization; … [Read more...]
The 12th Annual Collaborative Law Course
The 12th Annual Collaborative Law Course (Collaborative Law: Avoid Breaking Bad When Breaking Up) will be held March 7-8, 2019 at the Westin Galleria in Dallas, Texas. The course is co-sponsored by the Collaborative Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and Collaborative Divorce Texas and will offer over 12 hours of continuing education and 3.5 hours of ethics. The course will focus on dealing with difficult cases, parties, issues, and teams in the practice of Collaborative Law. Forrest … [Read more...]
What Will A Collaborative Divorce Cost?
Every client wants to know how much their divorce will cost. Answering that question is tricky because the cost of a collaborative divorce depends on the complexity of the case and the cooperativeness of the clients. No attorney can guarantee that a divorce will cost no more than a certain amount because there are too many unknown and uncontrollable factors involved. But, it’s important for the client to have some idea about the potential costs they are facing when he or she engages you to … [Read more...]
Credentialing Application Deadline September 30th
The application deadline for the 2019 Credentialing class is September 30th. There are many benefits to receiving this designation as a Collaborative professional. Fort Worth MHP, Carol Mapp, shares why she decided to pursue being Master Credentialed. Why I Wanted To Be Master Credentialed Master Credentialing demonstrates significant achievements beyond the mandatory training requirements to be a collaborative professional. Master Credentialing status conveys that this is an individual who … [Read more...]
Secondary Traumatic Stress in Attorneys Who Practice Family Law
Lynn Jennings, PhD, LPCS, LSOT Stephen Jennings, PhD, LPCS, LSOTP Jennings Counseling and Associates - Amarillo, TX Lynn and Stephen Jennings gave an in-depth look at our professional selves to the attendees at the sold-out Collaborative Divorce Texas Luncheon on Tuesday at the Advanced Family Law Course in San Antonio. While the title of the talk was enough to make one think we were taking a graduate level course in psychology, the presenters did a terrific job of minimizing jargon and … [Read more...]
Beyond Interest-Based Negotiation – Stephen H. Sulmeyer, J.D., Ph.D.
Doctor Stephen Sulmeyer led a challenging all day class in Austin in June for the 50+ collaborative team members attending the 2018 CDT Advanced Training. Moving beyond interest-based negotiation is a big change from how most of us were trained. After briefly tracing the evolution of modern negotiation practice from position-based to interest-based, he broke new ground for many of us by suggesting that the evolution of the next paradigm will require: • a willingness to be uncomfortable; … [Read more...]
Credentialing in Six Easy Steps
In 2017, CDT made credentialing available to qualified legal, financial, and mental health professionals. Getting credentialed involves several steps and can be challenging if you don’t plan ahead because some requirements take years to complete. The requirements for earning a collaborative credential include being a member of CDT for three consecutive years and being licensed for five years prior to filing your application, having concluded eight collaborative cases in three years prior to … [Read more...]
Credentialing Application Deadline
Please note that the deadline for submitting an application to be credentialed by CDT for 2019 is September 30, 2018. All applications must be submitted on or before that date. Information about how to apply, the proper forms, and instructions for filing may be found on the CDT website. We urge all eligible members to apply. … [Read more...]
Meet New Board Member Rhonda Cleaves
Name: Rhonda Cleaves Date and Place of Birth: Houston. My husband likes to say that I was born before men landed on the moon (a whole 2 weeks). Family: A kind and generous husband, 2 very sports-oriented teenagers – a son and a daughter, and a loveable chocolate lab who doesn’t get nearly as much attention as she should. Education: B.A. from Stephen F. Austin State University, J.D. from University of Texas School of Law; graduate studies at Escuela Libre de Derecho in Mexico City Firm Name: … [Read more...]
Welcome New CDT Board Members!
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the new CDT Board members who begin their terms in 2018: Rhonda Cleaves and Kevin Pinkley. Rhonda Cleaves Rhonda is an attorney in Plano who has an almost exclusively collaborative divorce practice and has already served in several volunteer capacities for CDT, including participation on the Forms committee, in the development of the Parenting Plan Checklist and most recently as Director of the SBOT Collaborative Law Course. Kevin … [Read more...]
I MADE A DIFFERENCE Campaign
Many of you may have heard that CDT launched a major fund-raising effort during spring conference designed to help you by helping us make collaborative divorce the preferred method of divorce in Texas. The “I MADE A DIFFERENCE” campaign, which asked our members to donate the monetary equivalent of one billable hour, was limited to the 2 days of the conference and had the lofty goal of raising $20,000. We are most happy to report that our membership TRULY stepped up and more than 50% of attendees … [Read more...]
Collaborative Divorce Texas Member – Newsletter Profile
Name: Carol Mapp Date and Place of Birth: Dallas, Texas Family: We are a close and eclectic bunch Education: UNT (When it was NTSU) Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education, Masters in Science and Social Work UT Arlington, graduated from Coors University in the early 80s (Yes that is a real thing…I have the diploma somewhere) Firm Name: Integrated Healthworks Member of Collaborative Divorce Texas since: 2006 or 2008 (I think) I started practicing Collaboratively because: I … [Read more...]
Register Now! 2018 Collaborative Law Conference
With just over a week before the annual Collaborative Law Conference co-sponsored by Collaborative Divorce Texas and the State Bar of Texas, it’s not too late to register. (Register here.) Discounts are still available for members of Collaborative Divorce Texas and/or the Collaborative Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. In response to requests for substantive skill building presentations, this year’s Course Directors and Planning Committee have put together a program that will have … [Read more...]
Collaborative Divorce Texas Member – Newsletter Profile
Name: Camille Milner Date and Place of Birth: Fort Worth, Texas; December 24, 1958 Family: Tim Crouch, husband, and two sons, Charles (28) and William (21) Education: UT Law School; graduation 1983; UNT, B.A. History & Political Science 1980 Firm Name: S. Camille Milner, P.C. Member of Collaborative Divorce Texas since: Charter Member since January 2004 I started practicing Collaborative Divorce because: I wanted to help families transition to a new stage without being destructive to … [Read more...]
Collaborative Divorce Texas Member – Newsletter Profile
Name: Harry L. Munsinger Place of Birth: Spaulding, Nebraska. Family: David B. Munsinger (son), Douglas S. Munsinger (son), Inga L. Munsinger (daughter), & Brita A. Munsinger (daughter). Education: M.A., Ph.D., University of Oregon, Eugene; Post-Doctoral Fellow—Yale University; J.D., Duke University School of Law. Firm Name: Law Office of Harry L. Munsinger. Member of Collaborative Divorce Texas since: 2010 I started practicing Collaboratively because: I couldn’t stand what … [Read more...]
New Collaborative Video Available for Your Website
A new video tool is available to members of Collaborative Divorce Texas for posting on their website of in their social media to explain the collaborative divorce process. Whiteboard videos explain concepts in an entertaining and compelling manner. This particular video does a great job explaining how collaborative divorce works and the differences between the collaborative process and traditional litigation. A video of this quality would normally cost $2,000.00 to produce. However, … [Read more...]
“2017 The Year in Review”
Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action. - Peter Drucker December is a month for holiday celebrations and thoughtful reflections on the year. Reflections that lay the ground work for our New Year’s resolutions and the action steps that support them. This year CDT continued its education and public awareness campaign about the benefits of Collaborative Divorce with the long-term goal of making Collaborative Divorce the … [Read more...]
Building A Successful Collaborative Practice
Building a successful collaborative practice requires hard work, commitment, money, and a marketing plan. The benefits include control of your time, working with other collaborative professionals, helping families resolve disputes with dignity, and getting paid promptly. If you will make a commitment to collaborative law and are willing to spend time learning new skills, you can build a thriving collaborative practice. Traits of Successful Collaborative Attorneys. Successful collaborative … [Read more...]
Collaborative Divorce Texas Member – Newsletter Profile
Name: Honey A. Sheff Date and Place of Birth 11-24-1954; Brooklyn, NY Family: one of two children (the younger sister), father deceased and mother about to turn 98; married to my high school sweetheart; 2 millennial aged children (son and daughter) and currently one dog and one cat Education: BA from Queens College/CUNY (1975); MA (1977) and Ph.D. (1981) from Stony Brook University; Graduate Certificate Degree in Dispute Resolution from SMU (2001) Firm Name: Honey A. Sheff, Ph.D., P.C. … [Read more...]
Ten Traits Of Effective Collaborative Attorneys
Successful collaborative attorneys have a strong commitment to professional competence, effective communication skills, are involved in the collaborative community, take a client-centered approach to collaborative divorce, have a strong vision of collaborative practice, are willing to take risks, openly share information, cultivate relationships with their peers, possess emotional intelligence, and can manage conflict constructively. A Commitment to Competence. Effective collaborative … [Read more...]
Unusual Problems in Collaborative Cases
Every collaborative case offers its own unique challenges. Some of the more serious problems you will face include family violence, emotional secrets, addiction, mental health issues, shadow advisors, no assets and lots of debts, relocation, and an impasse. Family Violence. There are various types of family violence, including physical, emotional or sexual abuse, and abuse of children. Collaborative attorneys have an ethical duty to screen for family violence and take steps to ensure their … [Read more...]
President’s Letter November 2017
“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” — Cynthia Ozick Thanksgiving puts gratitude front and center. Initially thinking about gratitude in the context of Collaborative Divorce felt a bit contrived. Yet, the more I thought, the more my gratitude for it grew (those of you more steeped in the practice of gratitude are not surprised by this) as well as my understanding of why we all do the hard work that it requires of us. Because it matters. Collaborative … [Read more...]
Child Support for Elementary School Children
Texas child support guidelines don’t address the increased cost of raising children as they mature or have a way to set child support when couples share custody of their children. Every parent knows child expenses increase with age, because they need more clothes, school lunches, and supplies for school activities plus other extra expenses. It’s difficult for couples facing litigation to arrange child support based on the increased needs of children as they age, but this can be done easily … [Read more...]
Seven Traits of Effective Financial Professionals
When selecting a financial professional for a collaborative divorce team, most attorneys look for colleagues who are competent, able to communicate effectively, are good teachers, able to see the big picture, can solve complex financial problems, are ethical and trustworthy, attend to the goals and interests of the collaborative clients, and sensitive to the different financial sophistication of each client. Professional Competence. As you know, dividing assets is a central part of any … [Read more...]
Twelve Traits of Successful Mental Health Professionals
Successful mental health professionals must be good listeners, competent professionals, ethical practitioners, self-aware individuals, flexible team members, confident colleagues, good communicators, problem solvers, trustworthy, client-centered, analytic, and possess emotional intelligence. 1. A Good Listener. The mental health professional must pay attention to emotional issues within the team and between the clients and ask open-ended questions to uncover hidden meanings. Effective … [Read more...]
Has being credentialed helped my collaborative business?
Since becoming a Master Credential collaborative lawyer in March, my collaborative business has definitely increased. For whatever reason—knowledge of the collaborative option; couples seeking to avoid the cost, financial and otherwise, of litigation—I see more clients aware of and open to collaboration than ever before. Several have pointed to my credential as a distinguishing factor in their choice to employ me and my firm. Simply put, the credential matters. The impact of … [Read more...]
Practice Tip – Best Blogging Practices
As part of our Collaborative Divorce Texas marketing campaign, we are asking members to submit a 500-700 words blog on any topic relevant to collaborative divorce. To help you develop topics and draft new blogs your newsletter editor will offer a few suggestions on how to create a blog that attracts potential clients’ attention. Topics Current Topics: You can write about current topics in the news, such as the holidays, vacation time, or back to school. Issues clients face before, … [Read more...]
