In Dallas and Austin collaborative law is well-known as an option that works well for some couples seeking a divorce. In Houston, collaborative divorce is gradually becoming better known. What exactly is collaborative divorce and when should you refer someone to a family lawyer who offers collaborative law as an option?

Unfortunately, it is difficult to draw up an Excel spreadsheet and simply lay out characteristics of a divorce situation that indicate automatically that one couple should go to mediation, another to arbitration, a third to collaborative law, and a fourth couple to litigation. An attorney must consult with each potential client and discuss the individual case in depth in order to identify the best possible option—though, of course, the other party may have different ideas as to what process is most appropriate.