Divorce
Divorce is never an easy decision, but sometimes it’s the right decision. At Hammerle Finley Law Firm, our attorneys have helped clients for over 25 years handle the intricacies of divorce.
Whether it’s a complex property case that involves millions of dollars in assets, a case over the custody of children, or even a relatively simple formalization of a separation agreement, our attorneys have the experience and compassion to help you through the process.
Our philosophy. Where possible, our attorneys work to resolve a divorce in an amicable and quick fashion. When the other side is being unreasonable or engaging in gamesmanship, however, then we will fire back. We believe that our clients need a divorce attorney who is aggressive and knows how to protect their interests. If children are involved in your divorce, then you need an attorney who will fight for their rights, too, and do the best possible job to minimize the adverse impacts of the divorce.
Our Experience. Hammerle Finley Law Firm has practiced Divorce Law in Denton, Collin, Dallas and Tarrant Counties for almost 3 decades. Our divorce attorneys include a Board Certified former Family Law District Judge, an aggressive litigator with extensive knowledge in electronic discovery, an attorney with a broad range of business experience, and an attorney who has handled numerous agreed (and almost-agreed) divorces.
An Added Edge. There are different specialities in law. We don’t want to be a divorce boutique firm – our clients require more expertise than that. Our firm has experienced attorneys with decades of experience in wills & trusts, estate planning, business litigation, business law, real estate, guardianship, criminal defense and civil litigation. Because your life isn’t simple, and your legal needs aren’t, either.
Different Venues. Our attorneys have handled divorces in the family-law specialized courts in Dallas and Tarrant County. We’ve handled divorces in the general jurisdiction courts of Collin, Denton, Greyson, and Wise Counties, and beyond. We’ve mediated divorces, and handled post-divorce matters such as enforcement and clarification. We are happy to serve as local counsel for other law firms in divorce cases.
Cost. Some Texas divorces are simple and require nothing more than the right paperwork and a brief court appearance. For those, we can quote a set fee. Some Texas divorces are, to put it mildly, adversarial and contentious. For those, we talk frankly with our clients about the cost and give them options to keep within their budget.
Collaborative Divorce. Your case may be a candidate for collaborative divorce. The collaborative approach is that of a team. Besides the parties and their lawyers, the team may include a financial advisor, a child therapist, and collaborative coaches. All involved must agree that the information used in the collaborative process cannot be used in an adversarial process: in other words, if the team approach fails, and the case goes into active litigation, the team members cannot be forced to testify in court. In fact, if the parties become adversarial, or fail to work honestly and in good faith, the attorneys are mandated to withdraw from representation.
A typical collaborative divorce would proceed along the following lines. One spouse meets with an attorney, who advises her about the collaborative process. The spouse reviews written materials outlining the details of the process. She gives the materials to the other spouse, who decides to try it. The other spouse meets with another collaborative attorney.
The 2 attorneys talk, outlining their understanding of issues that the spouses need to work through, and finally sign an agreement among the parties and the attorneys which formalizes the process. If there are a lot of issues (such as property or child custody), the parties may decide to retain coaches to help them with their emotional needs, and to streamline the procedure. This is especially critical to help the parties learn to effectively communicate during, and after, the divorce process.
Sometimes there is considerable property, or complicated investments and the parties may decide to hire a financial coach. Or children are involved, in which case a child therapist should be hired.
There will be several sessions between attorneys and the parties, and between the parties and the specialists. The financial coach will have received the necessary information from the parties, and the child therapist will have met with the children, the parents, and any other necessary people. The parties will receive the information, and emotional support, that they need to reach a settlement.
Although more specialists are involved in the beginning, the outcome will be fairer and less expensive than that achieved after a lengthy, acrimonious and expensive court battle. The parties will have learned to deal together post-divorce, the children’s needs have been addressed from the beginning, and the property has been divided with the future in mind. Best of all, a pattern of trust and fairness will have been established.
Collaborative Law doesn’t work in every situation. It is suited only for a couple who have equal negotiating power and strongly believe that, with the right information, they can come to an agreement.
Our attorneys:
Craig Fowler
Mark Scroggins
John Fowler
For a consultation with a lawyer at Hammerle Finley, please contact us online or call one of our offices:
Dallas 214 363-9300
Lewisville 972-436-9300
Denton 940-383-9300
Corinth 940-383-9300
Plano 972 -423-3000
