Collaborative Divorce
Disputes between you and your spouse during the divorce litigation process can wear on both your emotions and your finances.
Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the negative impact a divorce has on your life. Our Arlington, TX, firm can help.
Attorney Donna J. Smiedt has helped many clients get past conflict and reach a satisfactory agreement with a collaborative divorce.
Why Trust Donna J. Smiedt?
Ms. Smiedt has helped many clients through difficult matters relating to various aspects of family law. She has been practicing since 1986 and has been a board-certified family law attorney with the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1991. Regardless of whether you decide on a collaborative divorce process, mediation, or traditional methods, she can make sure your case is completely resolved and will gladly act as your counsel.
If you live in the Arlington, Southlake, or Westover Hills area, you can request a consultation at our law firm by completing our online form, or by calling:
(817) 572-9900
"I have known Donna since 2006 and am beyond grateful to have had her on my side. She is considerate, confident, and truly a loving person. My journey with her has led her to become a genuine friend of mine and I would highly recommend her to anyone! She will listen to your needs and pour her heart into being an advocate for you. She is unlike any other lawyer and will be real with you and take care of business. She excels at what she does and has a passion for winning for all of her clients. She will listen to you and make it her mission to help you throughout your difficult times. Additionally, her staff is very welcoming and helpful. As a person who has gone through two divorces, I would not trust any other lawyer than Donna. Her name, experience, and years in the business tells you all that you need to know." Tony Hamud, 5-Star Reviews
What Is Collaborative Law in Texas And How Does It Work?
Collaborative law is a concept that allows litigants in Texas to work together to resolve the issues in their case. In a collaborative divorce, each party is represented by an attorney who provides legal advice and assists with negotiation. Discussions are held in "four-way" meetings to work out the terms and reach an agreeable solution.
Since the collaborative process does not usually take as long as going to court for traditional litigation, you can save a substantial amount of money in a divorce. When it is complete, each party agrees to settlement terms and can start to move on with life without undue stress and hostility.
Mediation
Mediation is a slightly different legal process with the same goal as collaborative law: to settle a divorce as painlessly as possible outside of the courtroom.
In these situations, both parties work together with a mediator to negotiate the terms rather than their respective personal attorneys. The mediator acts as a peacemaker and negotiator, helping to resolve disagreements and find solutions that work for everyone involved. While there is no requirement that mediators have a law degree, our Arlington firm offers services for divorce mediation and can provide knowledgeable counsel to ease the process.
Why do so many clients turn to our Arlington, TX, family law firm during this difficult process?
Collaborative Law is Complicated
It is important to hire an attorney who not only understands the collaborative law divorce process but will work hard to protect your best interests. With a Texas Board Certification in family law, collaborative attorney Ms. Smiedt can help you make sound decisions regarding any legal issues that may arise during divorce mediation or negotiations.
Take the First Step Today
At The Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt, our compassionate and knowledgeable attorneys can explain the details of how collaborative divorce works during your initial consultation. Ms. Smiedt has been practicing law for over 30 years and has helped many families through disputes and other difficult times as a divorce counselor and attorney. Our collaborative lawyers can review your case, and advise you as to whether a collaborative process is a viable option.
The Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt helps clients throughout Southlake, Westover Hills, and Arlington, TX, achieve outcomes that benefit all parties involved in a case. Send us a message if you want to learn more, or you can speak to an attorney at our family law firm by calling:
(817) 572-9900
Attorney Donna J. Smiedt
"Donna was my attorney during a very difficult divorce. She is very supportive, professional, ethical and well-respected by her clients, the judges and DFW legal community. Her staff is fantastic. In addition to divorces, Donna has provided professional services in other family law issues I have faced as well will preparation. The services she and her staff have provided to me, my husband and children span a time frame of almost 20 years. I would never consider going to any other attorney for any type of family law issues. Her knowledge in family law cannot be found anywhere else and I highly recommend her." Valerie Moore, 5-Star Reviews
Mediation VS. Collaboration
There is no one correct way to go about getting a divorce. However, a certain method may work better for you and your spouse. Mediation is typically the more flexible and cost-effective of the two options, however, it can be hard for some couples to work through negotiations without respective attorneys. Even in amicable cases, it is beneficial to be represented by a divorce lawyer to protect your best interests.
Which is Method is Right For Me?
| Divorce Litigation | Divorce Mediation | Collaborative Law | |
| Location | Publicly held in a courtroom | Confidential discussions in an informal setting | Negotiations are held in private, typically in a law office or neutral location |
| Timeline | Cases can take over a year to complete | Most cases are resolved within two to three months but could be completed in as little as one mediation session | Varies depending on the schedules of both parties but usually takes four to six sessions over several months |
| Expense | Each party hires lawyers for the entire process, which can be lengthy and extremely expensive | Very cost-effective, the parties split a set mediator fee | Each party pays for a lawyer but saves money by reaching an agreement faster than litigation |
| Attitude | Often contentious, with each party fighting for their self-interests | Amicable and collaborative, with parties working together to find solutions | Non-adversarial discussions structured by attorneys to limit personal hostilities |
If you are struggling to decide the best course of action for your divorce case, please schedule a consultation at The Family Law Firm of Donna J Smiedt. Our attorneys can explain your options in detail and answer all of your legal questions. Furthermore, we are here to listen while you explain your unique needs and goals. Together we can develop a plan to reach the best possible outcome in your case.
There Are Several Steps in a Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative law is a unique way to handle a divorce proceeding. While each party is represented by their own attorney, the goal is to work through issues in a mutually beneficial manner. The Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt in Arlington, TX, can assist you step-by-step throughout the entire process.
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More Benefits of Collaborative Divorce
Along with fostering good communication and positive resolutions, a collaborative divorce with the help of our Arlington, TX, firm provides a number of valuable benefits.
Lower Costs
As a collaborative team, you and your attorney do not have to spend time in court arguing over family law issues. The collaborative divorce system is not subject to the court’s docket. This means the time it takes to finalize your divorce can be significantly shorter when you opt for a collaborative divorce in Texas.
Better Control
Because the parties know what they want going into the process, each side and their collaborative lawyers take an active role in negotiating. This allows couples who use collaborative divorce to remain more in control of the outcome than those who rely on the court. You can develop solutions that are tailored to your family's needs.
More Privacy
While litigation takes place in a public courtroom, collaborative negations are held in private. This encourages honest discussion and avoids feelings of shame and judgment. When friends and family members are left out of the process, your marital disputes remain between you and your ex. Attorneys are also sworn to strict confidentiality with clients.
Client Testimonial
Donna is an amazing, very talented family law attorney that I recommend highly. She helped me immensely during a very difficult time of my life during my divorce. She works tirelessly to ensure her clients are well represented, covers all contingencies, (even those you don’t think off), and the bottom line is she WINS the best outcome for your family. Catherine C.
What if Collaboration Does Not Succeed?
Every couple's situation is unique. While collaborative law and divorce mediation can work for many people, there is always a chance that an agreement can't be reached.
The Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt does not recommend these alternative processes unless we have confidence in a successful outcome. Our divorce lawyers can help you strategize your next steps in the event your out-of-court negotiations fail.
Contact Us to Learn More
You can depend on The Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt to carefully review the facts of your case. We can help determine if collaborative law is the best approach, or if traditional litigation would result in a better outcome.
The value of having a legal advocate in either scenario cannot be overstated. Let Ms. Smiedt help you navigate this process in a way that achieves timely resolution and helps you enter a prosperous new chapter in your life. Our team can guide you through every step of the collaborative divorce process with your immediate and long-term goals in mind.
Contact our Arlington, TX, family law practice today to learn more. You can request a consultation, or give us a call at:
(817) 572-9900
The Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt provides clients in Southlake, Westover Hills, and surrounding areas with legal support.
"If you have to file for a divorce, PLEASE do NOT go into that unchartered legal arena without Donna's guidance. She is the consummate knowledgeable divorce professional! If you are crushingly miserable in your daily life with your spouse, & true happiness is beyond attainable, be brave enough to save yourself. If you step into the Divorce ring, you need the very best to help you from a divorce attorney...That would easily be Donna. Her depth of knowledge in Divorce Law, Process & procedure is second to none. In the courtroom I will tell you she has few peers. She will successfully guide you to a resolution you will be happy with...Have you missed the word "Happy & Peace" in you life...Donna will help you find it again. After going through a challenging divorce with Donna representing me, I ended it by considering her not only the best attorney I could have selected, but a friend...now how many people can say that about their attorney? Thank you very much Donna!" Lee Fedornak, 5-Star Reviews
