Dallas Alliance of Collaborative Professionals

• Pre/Post Marital
• Divorce
• Custody
• Domestic Partnerships
• Modification Court Orders
• Paternity

Divorce

The breakup of a family is a stressful and frightening experience. At a time when you are most in need of acceptance from your closest friends and family, that set of friends and that family are also being confronted with their needs in your divorce. The collaborative process provides a team of professionals which gives you a better grasp of how to address the issues confronting a couple in the midst of a divorce:

1. The divorce itself can be addressed with collaboratively trained lawyers. Additionally, neutral mental health experts are employed as neutral communication consultants to provide understanding of the emotions and needs of couples who are facing the end of their set of original dreams, the rearrangement of their family life, and the beginning of a different set of circumstances, as well as assist the couple in learning productive communication skills.
2. Your children's best interests are thoroughly examined, and when needed, neutral child specialists are engaged.
3. Property issues are dealt with in a framework where the collaborative lawyers and a neutral financial expert aid the parties in looking at the issues of immediate and long-term financial needs. Assets are addressed as a means to an end and not as castles to be guarded.

"Many couples begin this process with a breakdown in their ability to communicate, negotiate, or focus on the future. Through modeling of effective communication and interest-based negotiation that occurs between attorneys, the couple has the ability to develop similar skills."
– Linda Solomon, LPC, LMFT, LCDC