Collaborative Law Models

There are two types of collaborative law models.  In the two models, the clients must each have an attorney.  The first model is called the traditional collaborative model.  The traditional collaborative model was the first model to come to Texas.  The traditional collaborative model includes the two clients and each client’s respective attorney.  The second model is called the collaborative team model a.k.a. the Texas team model. 

The collaborative team model includes the two clients, each client’s respective attorney, a neutral communication facilitator, and a neutral financial professional.  In the team model, each of the neutrals has a very important role in the case and they should always be involved in the case from the very beginning.  The neutral communication facilitator, among other things, helps to keep the clients and attorneys on task and helps keep all communication between the clients respectful and productive. 

In cases where children are involved, the neutral communication facilitator may meet with the clients outside the presence of the attorneys and help the clients create a parenting plan that is tailored to their particular situation and family.  The neutral financial professional, among other things, helps the clients gather the financial information, organizes the financial information in a way that allows the clients and attorneys to understand what the marital estate is composed of, and helps the clients look at different financial scenarios for the division of their marital estate.  The clients never make final settlement decisions with the neutrals, unless their attorneys are present.