Richard C. Price

Some people facing divorce seek a fair settlement that respects both parties, without unnecessary expenditure of time and money. Others prefer to keep their personal and financial matters confidential. Many wish to make their own decisions about asset division and parent-child relationships, rather than leaving these choices to a judge unfamiliar with their situation. For these people, I recommend Collaborative Law. Although Collaborative Law is a relatively new field, I have been practicing it since 2001. In Tarrant County, I am one of only two attorneys who hold a "Master Credentialed" status from Collaborative Divorce Texas. Collaborative Law has been, and remains, the primary focus of my practice. The Collaborative process starts with an agreement to not go to court. The parties each have their own attorneys. We usually bring in a neutral communication specialist and a neutral financial professional. There is a series of meetings with the parties, attorneys and other professionals. The communication specialist helps manage the meetings and helps create parenting plans when there are children. The financial professional directs the gathering of the relevant financial information and organizes onto a spreadsheet. We follow a step-by-step process, focused on the needs of each party. It is almost always successful. With over 45 years of experience, I understand the challenges people face when dealing with family law issues. I am also aware that almost every case will settle before reaching a final trial, so my approach concentrates on developing solutions through negotiation. I suggest the use of Collaborative Law in most situations. However, there are rare instances where it may not be suitable, or the opposing attorney may not be trained in the process. In such cases, we can pursue litigation as necessary. Since becoming a Board-Certified Specialist in Family Law in 1984, I have resolved numerous cases using Collaborative Law, mediation, and negotiation.