Not all clients can collaborate effectively. Collaboration requires that clients be trusting, emotionally controlled, willing to listen, have realistic goals, and display few red flags. If a client appears unable to be collaborative, but wants to continue in the process anyway, suggest that the team can help him or her develop communication skills and emotional balance, but it will require commitment and hard work. Your client must be willing to change his or her attitude and … [Read more...]
Collaborating Across Political Divides
Our world is more politically divided than at any time in recent memory and that can make collaborating more difficult, especially when there is an election coming up soon. Political differences can exist between clients, within the team, or between the team and clients. Don’t despair, it’s possible to collaborate successfully even when we don’t agree about political issues. However, there are several things the collaborative team can do to make the process work smoothly during … [Read more...]
Camille Milner Receives Gay G. Cox Award for Excellence in Collaborative Law
The Annual Gay G. Cox Award for Excellence in Collaborative Law has been presented to Denton Collaborative Attorney Camille Milner. The award was announced at the Collaborative Law Conference in Austin and is normally presented at the State Bar’s Annual Advanced Family Law Seminar in August each year. The Covid-19 Pandemic forced that seminar online this year. Camille Milner is being honored for her contributions to the Collaborative Divorce movement in Texas. Milner … [Read more...]
Practice Tip: Starting A Collaborative Divorce
Getting your collaborative divorce case off to a good start is important because it may determine whether the case resolves or goes to litigation. There are several things attorneys can do at the beginning of their case to get things moving in the right direction. First, listen to your clients and understand their concerns. Next, refer your clients to potential team members so you can assemble a team that’s compatible with your clients. Then, discuss with the team and clients … [Read more...]
Credentialing 2020 Updates
Collaborative Divorce Texas established the requirements for its members to become credentialed in 2017 with an Inaugural Class of nineteen attorneys, two financial professionals and six mental health professionals. Since that time, seventeen more Collaborative Divorce Texas members have been credentialed. With the accomplishment of qualifying to be a Credentialed Collaborative Professional or a Master Credentialed Collaborative Professional, our members are able to distinguish … [Read more...]
Divorce, Oil and Gas, and Covid-19
In any Divorce, involving “Oil and Gas”, the professional needs to be aware of the “special circumstances” that are present. If the oil and gas issue is present in the divorce due to one of the parties having mineral interests, there are tracing, depletion and reimbursement claims that will need to be considered. However, if the Oil and gas issue is present in the divorce due to one of the parties owning or in management of an Oil and Gas company, the moving parts that are present with the … [Read more...]
Practice Tip: Dealing With Family Violence During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Although social distancing, isolation, and quarantines are essential to control the spread of COVID-19, these practices are creating frustration, anger, and increased risk of family violence in American homes. Recent studies show a higher incidence of anger, post-traumatic-stress symptoms, higher levels of substance abuse, and increased family violence in families forced to quarantine together. Women and children are being subjected to more and higher levels of family violence, which … [Read more...]
Be a Zoomie! Collaborative Zoom Meeting Checklist
Many collaborative professionals are utilizing Zoom, Web EX or other video platforms to conduct collaborative meetings. Guidelines that comprise good meeting protocols, including preparedness, paying attention, and proper flow of meeting all apply to the success of Collaborative video meetings and contribute to a productive outcome. The goals of any collaborative meeting include maintaining respect for all attendees, efficiency, targeted communication, sharing information, asking … [Read more...]
Helping Your Clients Deal With Fear During Divorce And A Pandemic
Do you have clients who are paralyzed with fear about getting a divorce during the COVID-19 pandemic? Are they depressed and unhappy, but too frightened to move ahead with a collaborative divorce? Do your clients tell you they are worried about being alone and broke after a divorce, especially now that the economy is in recession because of the pandemic? Explain to your clients that everyone feels anxious about getting a divorce and their fears will be worse because of the … [Read more...]
What Every Collaborative Attorney Needs To Know About Divorce And Bankruptcy
Helping our collaborative clients through a difficult divorce during the COVID-19 pandemic can be complicated enough, but the difficulties multiply if they lose their jobs or face expensive medical care due to the virus and run out of money. If collaborative divorce clients are facing serious financial problems, they may need to file for bankruptcy as well as a divorce. Even if your clients don’t lose their jobs or catch the virus, divorce adversely affects most family finances and … [Read more...]
Time to Get Ready for our Monumental Moment: An Ironic Gift Given to us by the Coronavirus
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...]
Suggestions on Video Conferencing Protocols During the Pandemic
With the world facing a pandemic, collaborative professionals must be smart about helping clients who need a divorce in these difficult times. Besides the stress of divorce, clients face unemployment, exposure to coronavirus, enforced isolation, home-schooling of children--and courts are closed to all but emergency motions and agreed orders. So, how does someone get a divorce in this quarantined world? The solution is collaborative divorce by videoconferencing. It’s not … [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 cases … [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...]
Working With A New Team Member
Most of us like to stay in our comfort zone and after we have had a Collaborative practice for years, we develop a short list of go-to professionals when we need to engage a mental health or financial professional because we know they are competent and we trust them to be good team members. However, the popularity of collaborative divorce is growing and more professionals are joining every day. Many have become collaboratively trained and are interested in entering the field as … [Read more...]
When To Use A Child Specialist
There are situations where you should consider bringing in a child specialist during a collaborative case. These include when parents don’t agree about what’s in their children’s best interest, when parents have trouble developing a parenting plan, when there is concern about how the kids are coping with the divorce, when there is a special needs child in the family, when children don’t want to see one parent, and when there are older children in the family who may have strong feelings … [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...]
How To Cut Costs In A Collaborative Divorce
Worried about the cost of a collaborative divorce? Would you like to save money for your clients without sacrificing the collaborative process? Here are five suggested ways you can save money when doing a collaborative divorce while still meeting your professional obligations. Each method has risks and benefits, so think carefully about your clients, their needs, concerns, and whether saving money is worth the risk when you choose one of these cost-cutting methods. Use the … [Read more...]
Resolving Difficulties Between Team Members
Resolving a collaborative case can be trying for team members as well as for clients. While collaborative professionals are trained to recognize and deal with client’s emotions and disagreements, sometimes differences between collaborative team professionals can go unnoticed and complicate settlement of a case. Below are some suggested ways to resolve differences between team members and enhance the effectiveness of collaborative professionals. Identify the Problem. The … [Read more...]
An Inconvenient Truth: What the legal system tells us about children and divorce
At last year’s State Bar of Texas Collaborative Law Course, Jennifer Leister and Carie Silvestri presented “#Truth: Children speak the truth about divorce.” Building off that presentation, Carie and Jennifer and a committee of collaborative professionals from throughout the state, including Dr Honey Sheff, Melinda Eitzen, JD, Curtis Harrison, JD, and Mickey Gaylor, JD, interviewed judges, custody evaluators, amicus attorneys, guardians ad litem, and collaborative MHPs about the effects of … [Read more...]
Avoid Breaking Bad When Breaking Up
The 12th Annual Collaborative Course, titled Avoid Breaking Bad When Breaking Up, was held March 7-8, 2019, in Dallas. The course featured several interesting topics, including dealing with high-conflict personalities, communication breakdown, and guiding clients through difficult situations. High-Conflict Personalities Certain personality disorders create conflict and it’s important that the collaborative team recognize and deal with these difficult clients effectively. Generally, … [Read more...]
When To Terminate A Collaborative Divorce
There are a number of reasons to terminate a collaborative divorce if it’s not going well, including if the clients are unhappy, the team dynamics are impeding settlement, a team member or the clients are not prepared for meetings, your client can’t make a decision about what he or she wants to do, a client or team member is becoming angry or aggressive, and most important, you feel the case is not progressing. A Client is Unhappy. If a client expresses dissatisfaction with the … [Read more...]
Highlights Of The 12th Annual Collaborative Law Conference
The Annual Collaborative Course, held March 7-8, 2019, in Dallas was a rousing success. The conference was sponsored by the State Bar of Texas, Collaborative Divorce Texas, and the Collaborative Law Section of the State Bar. Approximately 170 collaborative lawyers, mental health professionals, and financial professionals attended; they enjoyed interesting substantive content, an informative free membership luncheon attended by over 75, and a complimentary President’s dinner enjoyed … [Read more...]
12th Annual Collaborative Law “Spring Conference”
The 12th Annual Collaborative Law “Spring Conference” is just a few weeks away! This year’s course “Collaborative Law: Avoiding Breaking Bad When Breaking Up” is co-sponsored by Collaborative Divorce Texas and the Collaborative Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. The focus of this year’s course is tackling difficulties in Collaborative Practice: difficult cases, difficult parties, difficult issues, and difficulties in growing your Collaborative business. Amy Lambert is this year’s … [Read more...]
How To Engage The Other Spouse In A Collaborative Divorce
When a new divorce client comes to your office to discuss his or her options and decides to do a collaborative divorce, how can you convince the other spouse to consider the collaborative process rather than opting for an adversarial divorce? There are five things you can do to engage the other spouse in the collaborative process: give him or her a list of collaborative attorneys to consider, suggest a meeting of the collaborative attorneys before committing to the collaborative process, … [Read more...]
Why Be A Member of Collaborative Divorce Texas?
Your membership in Collaborative Divorce Texas is important. It is important to you. It is important to your clients. It is important to the greater legal community. And it takes pioneers like you to renew your membership each year and increase the benefit of this growing movement to all of us. Why It’s Important to You Not to sound self-aggrandizing, but Collaborative Divorce Texas has become a leader in our nation and around the world for the promotion of Collaborative Divorce when … [Read more...]
Advice For Neutral Professionals
What Does Neutral Mean? Be sure to explain the role of each neutral professional at the first meeting. If the parties don’t understand what it means to be neutral, they may not trust the mental health or financial professional to be impartial and that could impact their effectiveness. Make certain the clients understand that neutral professionals can’t provide services outside the collaborative process to ensure they have no conflicts of interest. Explain What … [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...]
Eight Common QDRO Errors You Should Avoid
Dividing a pension plan during a divorce generally requires a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) that’s approved by the plan administrator and issued as an order signed by a judge. Most plan administrators will provide the form they require for drafting a QDRO, so have your client request these forms early in the divorce process. Some attorneys draft their own QDROs while others use contract firms to draft pension plan orders. No matter how you handle this task in your office, you … [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...]
Twelve Common Divorce Mistakes
Divorce mistakes are more likely if your client opts for litigation rather than a collaborative divorce. Going to court encourages fighting, the stress of litigation makes it more likely your clients will be emotional, and lawyers control the divorce because court rules and procedures are complex. Common divorce mistakes include forgetting about taxes, allowing shadow advisors to influence your client, letting client’s emotions control decisions, not considering the liquidity of assets, not … [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...]
Practice Tip: Just What Was I Thinking When I Put This Team Together?
Two things immediately come to mind when I am being interviewed by a prospective collaborative client: First, how do we get the other spouse to agree to use the collaborative process ; and Second, I hope I know the other lawyer. This is entirely because assembling a collaborative team is always so much easier when the other lawyer is something of a known quantity. It makes the initial evaluation and communication period, that time prior to the signing of the Collaborative Agreement, so much … [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...]
Spousal Maintenance And Alimony Won’t Be Deductible
Under current IRS law, spousal maintenance and alimony are deductible by the paying party and must be reported as income by the receiving party. This arrangement is advantageous to couples going through a divorce and planning to include spousal maintenance or alimony in their property settlement. The reason is, if one spouse had a significantly higher income, he or she could deduct the spousal maintenance or alimony payments from his taxes at a high rate while the lower income spouse, who … [Read more...]
“The Sweet Spot,” by Christine Carter, Ph.D. – A Book Review by Camille Milner
Remember that quote: “If you love your work, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Confucius, Mark Antony and Mark Twain have all been given credit for this quote in slightly different forms. I have even quoted it when I am feeling really happy in what I am doing. But REALLY—we all know that even if we LOVE our work, too often it still seems like work, except for those rare special times… I know you have felt it—that feeling that you have when you are doing something that you love so much … [Read more...]
The Importance of Team Aptitude
After the collaborative professional team is formed, important questions arise such as: “What can we accomplish together?” “How can we best meet the needs of this divorcing family?” It is easier to answer these questions if team members focus on acknowledging, understanding, and honoring the abilities or aptitudes of others. The Johnson O’Connor foundation has studied human behavior and how individuals interact with others and have been a pioneer in the area of aptitude. Aptitude is defined … [Read more...]
Convincing The Spouse’s Attorney To Be Collaborative
After meeting a new client and determining if the case is appropriate for the collaborative process and whether he or she is interested in doing a collaborative divorce, the next step is to convince the spouse’s attorney to be collaborative rather than adversarial. If the case is appropriate for the collaborative process, I do several things to increase the likelihood it won’t go to litigation. Only in cases with severe family violence, when a couple can’t compromise, one of the spouses … [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...]
Important Information about the CDT Credentialing Process and Your Application
Applications for the Collaborative Divorce Texas 2018 Master Credentialed and Credentialed Collaborative Professional class are due August 31, 2017. The application, requirements and FAQs/Instructions are all found on the CDT website under the Credentialing Tab on the Member’s site. The new class of Master Credentialed and Credentialed Collaborative Professionals will be announced at the Collaborative Law Course in March 2018. Achievement of this designation demonstrates a commitment to the … [Read more...]
Highlights of Collaborative Family Law Presentation at Advanced Family Law – August 10, 2017
Presented by Douglas A. Harrison, Carrie Silverstri, and Norma Levine Trusch. They outlined the history of collaborative law beginning 27 years ago (yes, it’s really been that long!) when Stu Webb introduced the idea of a collaborative divorce. Texas was the first state to pass a statute recognizing this new form of alternate dispute resolution. The panel defined collaborative divorce as a non-adversarial process where clients work together to resolve their family dispute with the help of … [Read more...]
The Benefits of Being a Collaborative Professional
Your Newsletter Editor became a Credentialed Collaborative Professional March 1, 2017. Since becoming credentialed, I have seen a significant increase in the number of collaborative cases coming to my office. Several clients commented that they noticed I am credentialed when they visited my website. They said being a Credentialed Collaborative Professional was one factor which convinced them to call me for an appointment to discuss their divorce. Clients said that being credentialed … [Read more...]
Important Information about the CDT Credentialing Process and Your Application
Applications for the Collaborative Divorce Texas 2018 Master Credentialed and Credentialed Collaborative Professional class are due August 31, 2017. The application, requirements and FAQs/Instructions are all found on the CDT website under the Credentialing Tab on the Member’s site. The new class of Master Credentialed and Credentialed Collaborative Professionals will be announced at the Collaborative Law Course in March 2018. Achievement of this designation demonstrates a commitment to the … [Read more...]
What constitutes Leadership and Service for the Master Credentialed Collaborative Professional application?
Leadership and service are based upon an applicant’s contributions to the collaborative community over the course of his/her career prior to application. It is not possible to quantify this requirement. The Credentialing Committee is looking for significant service, dedication and leadership by the applicant, which in most instances will require leadership and service in more than one activity. Leadership and significant service improves the quality of the collaborative community, whether it … [Read more...]
Tips for Completing the Training and Education Section of the CDT Credentialing Application
Tips for Completing the Training and Education Section of the CDT Credentialing Application Although the requirements and application process for CDT Credentialing are demanding, they are objective. If you meet the requirements, you will be credentialed. The Credentialing Committee asks that you be diligent in completing your application. Read the Requirements, Application and FAQs/Instructions carefully before submitting your application. Due to the painstaking review of each application, … [Read more...]
Tips for Completing your Collaborative Divorce Texas Credentialing Application
Although the requirements and application process for CDT Credentialing are demanding, they are objective. If you meet the requirements, you will be credentialed. The Credentialing Committee asks that you be diligent in completing your application. Read the Requirements, Application and FAQs/Instructions carefully before submitting your application. Due to the painstaking review of each application, the Credentialing Committee asks that you do not apply until you meet the criteria or your … [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 client awareness … [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...]
Report on Board Meeting – June 24, 2017
The Board discussed the Gay Cox Award for 2017. Jennifer Tull is coordinating nominations. Mickey Gayler reported that Tom Vick will speak at the Collaborative Luncheon at Advanced Family Law August 8th at noon. The Board decided shift the board calendar year and extend the term for all current board members until June 2018 in order to facilitate orientation for new members. New members of the Board will now be elected in November, they will attend their first meeting in March at Spring … [Read more...]
June Board Meeting and Annual Retreat
Tim Crouch presented an analysis and overview of the collaborative divorce marketing campaign, including costs and results to date. He reported that we are getting the word out about Collaborative Divorce and building brand awareness. Which is evidenced by significant increases in web traffic and the number of people reached through the Facebook Campaign. The Board considered the feasibility of marketing statewide or in all five major metropolitan areas every month. At the moment, the cost is … [Read more...]
President’s Letter June 2017
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." - Aristotle What is the most important factor in branding Collaborative Divorce? Bottom line, a positive client experience is key to creating and maintaining a strong brand for Collaborative Divorce. No matter how much CDT markets to and educates the public, clients must have good experiences with Collaborative Divorce for it to grow and thrive. And that job rests solely with you. What determines whether a … [Read more...]
Effective Client Screening in the Collaborative Process
As collaborative practitioners we recognize and value the utility of utilizing the collaborative approach to divorce with our clients. While this approach offers many advantages, not all clients may be appropriate for this process. Some clients arrive at this difficult time in their lives with a variety of psychosocial and psychological issues such as active substance abuse, significant depression or anxiety, history of anger and high conflict, or with pre-existing maladaptive personality traits … [Read more...]
Hello from Your MHP
It has become increasingly common for the Mental Health Professional (MHP) on teams to meet with clients prior to the initial joint meeting. This practice initially began as a mechanism for assessing client fit for the collaborative process, typically when one, or both, of the attorneys had some concerns about the appropriateness of the clients for the process. However, while the value of such screening meetings is clear, over time this practice has expanded beyond its initial purpose and has … [Read more...]
Challenges for the Stay-at-Home Parent Facing Divorce
Due to many factors, such as increasing child care costs, philosophical resolve, or stress of managing home and life, many couples make a conscious decision at some point in their marriage to have only one parent work outside the home. When parents make the decision to divorce, one of the many difficult aspects to consider occurs when one parent is displaced as he or she has not worked in the labor force for a substantial number of years but worked in the home providing unpaid services for … [Read more...]
Why Grey Divorce is Increasing
While the overall divorce rate among Americans dropped over the last 20 years, the divorce rate among older Americans has doubled. Couples over 65 have an even higher divorce rate. More than 25% of current divorces involve couples over 50. Older Americans used to enjoy lower divorce rates compared with young couples, but today older Americans are divorcing at the same rate as the general population. And it isn’t just older couples in their second or third marriage who are divorcing; more than … [Read more...]
Stages of Emotion in Divorce
Your spouse steps into your room and says: “We need to talk.” Immediately, your stress level jumps and you feel defensive, but you can’t avoid the issue so you face the music and agree to talk. After a few preliminary comments about how unhappy she has been for the past several months, your spouse tells you, “I don’t want to be married to you anymore. I have hired an attorney and she will be sending you papers later this week. I want you out of the house as soon as you find an apartment.” You … [Read more...]
Practice Tip: Work-Life Balance in Law Practice, Part 2
Balancing Work and Life in Solo Practice If you want to be your own boss, choose an area of law that appeals to you, fits your life style, and solves important problems for your clients. For example, I personally manage a solo firm limited to Collaborative Family Law, Probate, Wills, Trusts, and settling estate related litigation. There are many areas of law that offer opportunities for professional achievement, personal satisfaction, and flexible control of your time. The trick is to find an … [Read more...]
Balancing Kids and New Relationships
What advice should you give your clients about how to deal with their children and new relationships during and after divorce? First you need to remind your clients that children experience anxiety, anger and sadness during a divorce, especially if they are put in the middle of their parent’s disagreements or asked to lend emotional support to a parent. Remind your clients there are things they can do during and after a divorce to minimize damage to their children from the breakup. Advise your … [Read more...]
Practice Tip: Work-Life Balance in Law Practice, Part 1
The key to work-life balance is to work effectively and spend your leisure time efficiently. Most of us waste too much time on nonproductive tasks, work inefficiently, and we spend leisure time shopping, cleaning, caring for children, washing the car, and doing laundry rather than enjoying a hobby or being with our family. How do you find time to relax, take a vacation, read a book, or spend an evening with your family? The answer is to become more efficient at work and fit personal tasks into … [Read more...]
The Value of Practice Groups
There are a number of significant benefits associated with joining a Collaborative Practice Group. Chief among them are educational opportunities, collaborative discussion of case issues, networking, mentoring opportunities, receiving updates on upcoming collaborative events, developing and implementing joint collaborative marketing programs, enjoying group savings on CLE and participating in professional roundtable discussions. Educational Opportunities Most Collaborative Practice Groups … [Read more...]
Practice Tip – Balancing a Legal Career and Family
A majority of American lawyers experience significant anxiety, depression, or substance abuse during their career. Attorneys have a higher incidence of anxiety and depression than any other professional group. Depression begins during the first year of law school and attorney’s emotional distress grows throughout their career. Attorneys don’t start out being more depressed than other people—first year law students have levels of depression and anxiety similar to the general population. However, … [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...]
Practice Tip – Can I Date During My Divorce?
The question “Can I date during my divorce”? comes up all the time in collaborative divorce practice. I tell my clients it’s not a good idea to date until the divorce is final. However, some clients still date during their divorce because they’re lonely or want to feel better about themselves. After all they think, “What could go wrong on a simple date?” Unfortunately, lots of things. There are good strategic, legal and emotional reasons not to date during a divorce. But, if a client must date, … [Read more...]
The Importance of Gratitude in Your Practice
November is the month of Thanksgiving, where many of us reflect on what we are grateful for. If you haven’t considered the value of gratitude in the collaborative process, I encourage you to give it some thought. Gratitude is infectious, motivates others, and strengthens team relationships. An environment full of gratitude encourages team members and clients alike to give their best. Gratitude is a core of principle needed for team effectiveness and growth of the collaborative movement. Many … [Read more...]
Practice Tip – What to Do When Your Client Won’t Listen
All of us have problems from time to time with clients who won’t listen to our legal advice. Of course, we believe the collaborative process is client driven, but our clients still need to pay attention to legal advice so they won’t make a serious mistake during negotiations and give away a significant right or asset. What is the best way to handle the client who won’t listen to your advice? Do you give up and allow them to make their own mistakes and learn the hard way? Or are there … [Read more...]
Filled Out Your Profile Yet? You Might Be Missing Out!
Among the many benefits of membership in Collaborative Divorce Texas is your member profile on the Collaborative Divorce Texas Website. Visitors to the site looking to hire a collaborative professional can search by city or county to locate a professional near them. But an important question is: Have you completely filled out your profile.? If you have not, and some members still haven’t, then you may be missing out on leads for collaborative cases in your own backyard. Last month, we … [Read more...]
Guiding Parents on When NOT to Tell Their Children about Divorce
One of the most difficult challenges facing parents who are planning to divorce is what to tell their children. While indeed this is perhaps the most painful conversation that parents will ever have, a frequently overlooked dynamic is the timing of this discussion. As a lawyer or mental health professional, you are often one of the first people in a position to guide your clients in not only what to say, but when to say it. You need to help your client see this experience from their child’s … [Read more...]
How Confidentiality & Privilege Protect Client Privacy in a Collaborative Divorce
Confidentiality and privilege are important legal rights and duties in a collaborative divorce. Confidentiality is a legal protection of private information shared with institutions such as businesses, hospitals, schools or a law firm. Ordinarily, privilege covers only direct communications between an attorney or physician and her client. However, within a Collaborative Divorce, all communications are afforded the protection of privilege, which is the highest level of privacy protection … [Read more...]
