A mental health what?!

In my family law practice, an increasing number of people ask me about Collaborative Law. While some clients are delighted about having a mental health professional (MHP) on the team, other clients express apprehension over the role of the MHP. 

The MHP’s role is NOT to analyze the parties or children, provide therapy, give legal advice, diagnose, or solve mental health issues of the parties or the parties’ children.  

The MHP is a 3rd party neutral on the collaborative team. His/her job includes:

1.      keeping the parties (and counsel) focused on the defined objectives and goals;

2.      facilitating communication;

3.      managing the emotions of the parties; and

4.      working preventatively.

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Reconciliation Law (TM) - What is it?

Houston attorney, Michael Hiller, is the creator of a new area of family law called Reconciliation Law (TM).  In early January 2009, Mr. Hiller, with other Houston area family attorneys, will create a new practice group trained in this philosophy of law. 

To learn more about this practice area, tune in on Sunday, December 21, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. to hear Mr. Hiller discuss this new frontier in family law.  He will be interviewed by Barry Kilgore on KSEV 700AM Radio. 

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More Praise for the Collaborative Law Process

Features-2007-07-12-12-47-37Image1

Though Collaborative Law, in comparison to traditional divorce litigation, is relatively new, many clients are not familiar with the process.  Nancy Crevier, of the Newton Connecticut Bee provides a compelling case for going collaborative.  To view this article, visit:  http://www.newtownbee.com/Features.asp?s=Features-2007-07-12-12-47-37p1.htm.

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Collaborative Way to Divorce: The Revolutionary Method that Results in Less Stress, Lower Costs, and Happier Kids--Without Going to Court

For the millions of couples who face divorce each year, The Smart Divorce offers an alternative to court without giving up getting what you want

Research reveals that how a couple conducts themselves during a divorce has far greater impact on their children than the divorce itself. Compassionate, clear, and comprehensive, The Smart Divorce is the first trade book to introduce a dignified, highly strategic solution to divorce-the collaborative process, a nationally acclaimed approach that is fast transforming how couples dissolve their marriages, divide their assets, and reinvent their post divorce relationships, particularly when they share custody of their children.

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Texas Collaborative Law Process: Resolving Family Disputes with Dignity

THE COLLABORATIVE LAW PROCESS:
RESOLVING FAMILY DISPUTES WITH
DIGNITY
The court system’s litigation process is often not a
“family friendly” or a “child friendly” environment to
resolve family disputes such as divorce, custody or child
support issues. Parents, spouses, relatives and friends are
sometimes forced to take sides in a courthouse dispute
that pits the parties against each other in a litigation
“war.”
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