Collaborative Family Law
Norma Levine Trusch is convinced that collaborative law is the most exciting and innovative development in family law in Texas since the passage of the Texas Family Code in 1974. Collaborative family law offers client a non-adversarial process for the settlement of their family law dispute that they can utilize after divorce to effectively co-parent their children or resolve disputes with friends, family and business associates.
Collaborative law is a process in which the attorneys and clients make a commitment to work together toward a resolution of all issues in a manner that is fair, private, efficient and respectful. Collaborative lawyers have special training in interest-based negotiations, and in assisting clients in understanding and expressing their own particular goals and interests. The process is conducted in a series of joint sessions, including the attorneys and clients, and if needed other allied professionals, all dedicated to reaching a settlement that considers the values and goals of both parties and any children of the parties. A unique aspect of collaborative law is that the attorneys make a commitment never to go to court to resolve the parties' issues. If either client wants to end the process, the attorneys are disqualified from representing them in court and they must find other, adversarial, representation. In that event, the collaborate lawyers assist their clients in transitioning to litigation counsel. This commitment to settlement is the strength and backbone of the collaborative process.
An advantage of collaborative law is the use of neutral specialists. If needed, the parties can utilize the assistance of financial planners, child specialists, appraisers, accountants, educational consultants, or any number of other experts who will use their training and expertise to assist both parties by providing information or analysis, as needed. Rather than acting as “hired guns”, these experts can bring an honest and even-handed view of the information and facts to the table for use in creating options for settlement that will, as much as possible, meet the goals and interests of both parties.
Norma Trusch is not only trained in collaborative law, but is in demand as a trainer of other lawyers who want to learn about this humane and enlightened approach to the resolution of family law disputes. If you want to learn more about the collaborative process to determine if it would best meet your needs, please contact our office for an appointment.
