What is a Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative Divorce
A process which enables the parties, with assistance of
counsel, to fashion their own agreements without litigation.
Typically, it is less traumatic for all participants involved,
(espically the children), more client-driven, as opposed to
being more attorney/court driven. It can also be less costly.

Timespan for getting a divorce

How quickly can I get divorced if the matter is uncontested?
In Texas, there is a statutory waiting period of 60 days, following
the filing of a divorce petition, before a party can finalize a divorce
action. All cases are contested until the court actually grants the
divorce. That is to say, the parties may have an "agreement" on all
issues, but until that agreement is reduced to writing, signed by all
parties, approved by the court, and signed by the District Court
Judge, the agreement may not be upheld.

Sharing the same attorney with your spouse

Can my spouse and I use the same attorney for our divorce
in order to save money?
An attorney cannot ethically represent both a husband and wife in
a divorce action. Although many cases are handled through
completion with only one attorney handling all the paperwork. The
unrepresented party may act as their own attorney and deal
directly with the represented party's counsel, however the attorney
may not divulge any confidential information, nor may they give any
legal advise to the unrepresented spouse.

Consultations

I'm not sure I can afford a lawyer. What are your fees?
Come in and see us, and we'll discuss your individual situation.
Sondra Kaighen bills $300.00 per/hr, Associate attorneys are
billed out at $200.00 per/hr, Krista Edwards (Legal Assistant) bills at
$75.00 per/hr. We bill in quarter-hour increments. We usually take
the retainer fee deposits up front, which is deposited into a client
trust account. We then bill all time and costs incurred against that
deposit. On the 25th of each month itemized statements are
generated and mailed to each client.

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