A Trial Lawyer to Help You Stay Out of Court
My clients include accomplished professionals, business owners, and their spouses who want to resolve family issues in the most productive manner possible. Some may opt for mediation, Collaborative Divorce, or a negotiated divorce. For couples preferring an out-of-court resolution, I strive to simplify the process and make it more cost-effective by offering out-of-court approaches to reach a resolution. My priority over the course of the entire process is to equip my clients with the information they need to feel safe, secure, and empowered to make wise choices as they navigate one of the most challenging times in their lives.
What I Help Clients Do:
- Create and follow a plan to get through the current crisis while also enabling you to build a positive future after divorce.
- Make informed, well-reasoned choices that position you to succeed.
- Successfully achieve out-of-court solutions for complex property divisions, high conflict personality issues, and contested child custody matters.
- Preserve dignity and a sense of security amid personal adversity, uncertainty, and turmoil.
Professional Experience and Credentials
Curtis W. Harrison has previously served as the managing partner for two law firms, including Goranson Bain Ausley, over a combined period of almost 20 years. Drawing upon his extensive educational and professional background in business administration, management, and finance, Curtis profoundly understands the intricate economic challenges and enduring pressures encountered by business proprietors, C-suite executives, and their spouses. Curtis applies his experience to help clients identify, prioritize, and achieve their strategic goals for the process, just as they would in their professional lives.
Curtis has litigated cases around the state of Texas for almost 30 years. However, he has come to recognize the collateral harm caused by a judicial system that was designed to adjudicate winners and losers, not resolve family disputes. His goal is to help clients resolve their conflicts over property division and child custody constructively so that they can move forward with hope for a better future. Curtis practices family law as he strives to live — with honesty and integrity, working diligently to make a positive difference.
Curtis is Master-credentialed in the Collaborative Divorce approach and has published numerous articles on the advantages of the Collaborative Divorce model. He is board-certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been named a “Texas Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters every year since 2008. He has also been named a “Best Lawyer” by Best Lawyers in America© in family law, mediation, and collaborative law in 2017 through 2025. He has previously served on the board of trustees for Collaborative Divorce Texas and the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Family Law Advisory Commission.
Curtis is an experienced mediator and Collaborative Divorce lawyer in Dallas and Plano, Texas.
Personal
Curtis is a self-described Christ-follower, husband, father of three, DIYer, and classic car aficionado.
Featured Video
Services
Services
- Divorce
- Collaborative Divorce
- Divorce Mediation
- Child Custody
- Property Division
- Complex Property
- Characterization of Separate and Community Property
- Divorce for Business Owners
- Business Valuation in Divorce
- High Net Worth Divorce
- Dividing the Marital Home
- Mental Health and Addiction in Divorce
- Child Support
- Modifying Child Support
- Parenting Schedules
- Visitation Rights
- Grandparent Visitation and Custody Rights in Texas
- Divorce for Men
- Divorce for Women
- Becoming a Foster Parent
- Paternity
- Adoption
- Cohabitation Agreements
- Alimony & Spousal Maintenance
- Uncontested Divorce
- Contested Divorce
- Litigated Divorce
- Negotiated Divorce
- Appealing a Divorce Decree or Judgment
- High-Conflict Divorce
- Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
- Modification and Enforcement
- Pre-Divorce Guidance
- Gray Divorce
Honors & Awards
Honors & Awards
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2017 – 2025
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2018 – 2025
- Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Family Law Mediation, Best Lawyers, 2019 – 2025
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list, Thomson Reuters, 2008-2024
- Named to the 500 Leading Family Lawyers List, LawDragon, 2024
Articles
Articles
- How Adultery in Texas Affects a Divorce May 29, 2024
- Avoiding Christmas Custody Games December 1, 2022
- The Minimally-Invasive Divorce March 3, 2022
- Negotiating with Your Spouse February 3, 2022
- Hidden Risks for Couples Ending Common Law Marriages in Texas April 15, 2021
- Why Does It Matter If Your Family Lawyer Is Trained in Collaborative Divorce? April 1, 2021
- Protecting Your Child’s Emotional Health During Divorce March 29, 2021
- Divorcing a Sociopath February 28, 2021
- Can I Start My Divorce During the Coronavirus Shutdown? March 24, 2020
- How to Successfully Divorce Someone with a High-Conflict Personality January 26, 2019
- Meet Curtis W. Harrison April 15, 2016
- Collaborative Divorce Doesn’t Promote Divorce June 16, 2015
- 3 Things You Should Not Do In a Divorce July 21, 2014
- Does Social Security Incentivize Divorce? June 23, 2014
Publications & Speeches
Publications & Speeches
- Author, “When Loyalty and Collaborative Transparency Collide,” Headnotes, Dallas Bar Journal, 2021.
- Author, “How to Successfully Divorce Someone with a High-Conflict Personality,” Family Law Advisor, 2019.
- Author, “Divorcing A Sociopath,” Family Law Advisor, 2018.
- Ask the Expert – High Conflict Personality, D Magazine, 2018
- KDFW Fox 4 – Good Day TV segment, titled, “Modern Divorce Trends,” featured an interview with attorney Curtis Harrison about co-parenting, how the emotion aspects of divorce affect one’s logical thinking and decision-making, and knowing your attorney’s approach and style.
- KERA radio segment on Collaborative Divorce, explores the less-messy divorce, and emerging trends in litigation, with a team of experts including attorney Curtis Harrison, mental health professional Linda Solomon and financial professional Scott Clarke. Click here to hear the radio segment featured on Think with Krys Boyd.
- Contributor, “Getting the Case Started,” Collaborative Law—Start to Finish, TexasBarBooks, March 2014
- Author, “Facing Divorce in an Uncertain Economy,” Huffington Post, February 5, 2011
- Author, “Dealing with Christmas Custody Games,” Huffington Post, December 24, 2010
- Author, “Is There a Minimally-Invasive Divorce?” Huffington Post, December 13, 2010
- Author, “Logic Doesn’t Drive the Divorce Train,” Collaborative Law Institute of Texas, October 15, 2010
- Author, “Getting Your Case from Zero to 60,” Collaborative Law Spring Conference, January 2010
- A Roadmap Through Divorce Proceedings, National Business Institute, November, 2008
Videos & Podcasts
Videos
- What is the Difference Between a Collaborative vs Litigated Divorce?
- Curtis Harrison’s Advice for People Facing Divorce
- How the Collaborative Divorce Process Can Help You Achieve Your Goals
- Curtis Harrison Recognized as Master Credentialed Collaborative Divorce Professional
- Dealing with a High Conflict Personality During Divorce
Presentations
Presentations
- Speaker, When Client Loyalty and Collaborative Transparency Collide, State Bar of Texas Collaborative Law Spring Conference, 2022.
- Co-Presenter, Common Estate Planning Problems Divorce Lawyers Experience — Texas Wealth Council, 2021.
- Panelist, Where is the Voice of the Child in Divorce? CDT Advanced Disciplinary Training, 2019.
- An Inconvenient Truth: What the Legal System Tells Us About Children and Divorce, Collaborative Divorce Texas, Advanced Training, Panelist, 2019
- Panelist, When to Just Say “No”, Collaborative Law Interdisciplinary Group, 2017.
- What is Attachment Theory and How Does It Apply to My Divorce Case?, Dallas Bar Association, Collaborative Law Section, March 2016
- Attachment Theory and It’s Potential Impact to Collaborative Practice, Dallas Bar Association, March 2015
- Course Director, Texas Bar Association’s Collaborative Law Conference, March 2014
- Assist. Course Director, Texas Bar Association’s Collaborative Law Conference, February 2013
- Dallas Bar Association’s ADR Section Meeting, Capturing Benefits from the Collaborative Process Even When a Case Doesn’t Settle, May 2012
- Succeeding Collaboratively in a Soft Economy, Texas State Bar’s Advanced Family Law Seminar, August 2011
- Getting Your Case from 0-60, Texas Bar Association’s Collaborative Law Spring Conference, March 2010
- Divorce, the Collaborative Way, Journey of Hope Christian Counseling, 2009
- Divorce Mediation Training, El Centro Junior College, 2009
- A Roadmap Through Divorce Proceedings, National Business Institute Seminar, 2008
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
- Collaborative Divorce – Collin County
- Member
- Collaborative Divorce Texas (f/k/a Collaborative Law Institute of Texas)
- President, 2015
- Vice President, 2013
- Treasurer, 2010
- Board Member, 2010 – Present
- Member, 2005 – Present
- College of the State Bar of Texas
- Member, 1999 – Present
- Collin County Bar Association, Family Law, ADR/ Collaborative Law, Law Practice Management Section
- Member, 1998 – Present
- Collin County Bench Bar Foundation
- Member
- Past Chair
- Past Treasurer
- Life Fellow
- Curt B. Henderson American Inn of Court
- Member
- Dallas Bar Association, ADR, Collaborative Law, and Family Law Section
- Member, 2002 – Present
- Frisco Bar Association
- Member, 2014
- State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
- Member, 1998 – Present
- Texas Bar Foundation
- Life Fellow
- Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists
- Member, 2004 – Present
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Family Law Advisory Commission
- Member, 2013 – Present
- Texas Family Law Foundation
- Member
Education
Education
- Baylor University School of Law, 1994
- J.D., Law
- Baylor University, 1991
- B.B.A., Economics
Bar Admissions
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1994
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas