Lisa Marquis has been recognized by Collaborative Divorce Texas as a master credentialed professional. Lisa is a member of the QSWLM Law firm and was honored at the annual State Bar of Texas Collaborative Spring Conference in Austin. The achievement of this designation demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of collaborative practice. To be recognized as a Master … [Read more...]
The Child Centered Divorce: What Divorcing Parents Need to Know
When divorce is imminent and two parents want to legally divide their lives, the children are still the legacy of that union, and the children will go on even though the marriage will end. Money, property, and even spouses can come and go, but all parents want healthy, loving relationships with our children. Post-divorce, children keep spouses connected; the relationship is not severed but … [Read more...]
Is a Civilized Divorce Even Possible?
A civilized divorce is really what I believe we would all hope for. A civilized divorce is one where both parties treat each other with dignity and respect throughout the process. They understand that even though their relationship may be ending as husband and wife, there are benefits to their children in having an effective, healthy co-parenting relationship. Spouses who handle the divorce … [Read more...]
Lisa Marquis – Reflections on the 2019 Collaborative Conference
Quilling, Selander, Lownds, Winslett & Moser shareholder Lisa Marquis recently served as the Assistant Course Director for the Texas Bar CLE Family Law Collaborative Law Conference in Dallas. The conference was held March 7th and 8th at the Westin Galleria. The annual conference is a gathering of collaborative attorneys, mental health professionals and financial professionals from throughout … [Read more...]
How Is Marital Property Divided in Texas?
In a typical initial divorce consultation, when the conversation gets around to the division of property, I find myself saying, "Well, now, these are the things that could possibly happen if you're in front of a judge, but if you come to an agreement, you can pretty much do anything you want.” That's where I think that the collaborative divorce process gives us so many more creative options of … [Read more...]
The Uncontested Divorce – Does it Really Exist?
To be or not to be Contested? That is the Question. A lot of times, people aren't sure whether their divorce is going to be contested or not contested. They want to or do believe, that if both parties want the divorce that means it's not a contested divorce. Unfortunately, we have to educate them that just because both spouses really want to divorce, does not make it uncontested. Whether it is a … [Read more...]
5 Important Rules About Separate Property in Texas
One of the common issues that arise in a divorce in Texas is the characterization of property. Most people know that Texas is a community property state. Many people also assume that all community property has to be divided equally in the event of a divorce. However, property can be community, separate, quasi-community or mixed character, depending on when and how it was acquired. The name in … [Read more...]
Child Support and Collaborative Divorce
In collaborative divorce cases, we often find that people come into the process having misunderstandings about child support. They may have read something on the internet about child support being a percentage of their income. As attorneys, we always start with explaining to clients that Texas has a statutory method for how child support is calculated. We start with gross … [Read more...]
The Kids Are Gone… Now What?
Children grow up. They go to college. They get jobs (hopefully). They move into their first house. This is the natural order of things, and what we, as parents, hope for our children. However, many couples seem to be caught by surprise at the major changes that happen when their kids leave the nest. After all the years of focusing on the kids, their absence can often leave a void in the … [Read more...]
How Collaborative Divorce Addresses Concerns for “Adult” Children
When a child reaches 18 they are legally adults, but most are not self-supporting adults. They may be in college, or may have just finished college, and they are not able to be on their own without a little help from Mom and Dad. But how do you handle these situations if Mom and Dad are getting a divorce? The collaborative divorce process provides the opportunity for the parents to be assisted … [Read more...]