Fort Worth Collaborative Divorce

A Respectful and Effective Alternative to Litigation
Divorce can be one of life’s most difficult transitions, and for many families in Fort Worth, the priority is to protect children, reduce conflict, and maintain financial stability. Collaborative Divorce in Fort Worth provides a structured, private, and respectful process that helps couples resolve disputes without resorting to the courtroom.
Rather than leaving major decisions in the hands of a judge, spouses remain in control, collaborating with experienced Collaborative professionals at Goranson Bain Ausley to reach solutions designed for their family’s unique circumstances.
What Is Collaborative Divorce in Fort Worth?
Collaborative Divorce is a legal process that allows spouses to settle divorce-related issues outside of court. Each spouse works with a specially trained Collaborative Divorce attorney, and all participants commit in writing to focus on cooperation and constructive negotiation rather than litigation.
The process fosters an environment of confidentiality, mutual respect, and transparency. With the right guidance, couples can reach agreements that are creative, practical, and better suited to their family’s future than what might be imposed in court.
When Collaborative Divorce May Be the Right Choice
Collaborative Divorce may be appropriate if you and your spouse want to:
- Maintain control over decisions instead of turning them over to the courts.
- Reduce conflict and preserve civility throughout the process.
- Protect children from unnecessary stress and emotional harm.
- Create tailored solutions for financial, parenting, or property issues.
- Build a foundation for cooperative co-parenting after divorce.
For many Fort Worth families, Collaborative Divorce offers a way to move forward with less bitterness and more confidence in long-term outcomes.
The Collaborative Divorce Process in Fort Worth
- Participation Agreement: Both spouses sign an agreement committing to resolve matters respectfully, confidentially, and outside of court.
- Structured Meetings: A series of planned sessions allows spouses and their attorneys to work through issues at a measured pace.
- Involvement of Experts: When needed, neutral professionals such as child specialists, financial consultants, or valuation experts provide insight and balance.
- Final Agreement: Once consensus is reached, attorneys draft the settlement and submit it to the court for approval.
Timeline and Efficiency
Most Collaborative Divorce cases in Fort Worth are resolved within four to six meetings. The schedule is designed by the spouses themselves, allowing flexibility while keeping progress on track.
Collaborative Divorce vs. Mediation
While both Collaborative Divorce and mediation avoid courtroom litigation, there are important differences:
- Mediation is typically facilitated by a neutral mediator and may occur at various stages of the divorce, though it is often used after a case has been filed in court.
- Collaborative Divorce is not facilitated by a neutral; instead, each spouse has their own attorney. It begins with a commitment to resolve issues outside of a court and proceeds through a series of shorter, well-structured meetings that allow time for reflection and thoughtful decision-making.
Advantages of Collaborative Divorce in Fort Worth, TX
- Privacy – Matters remain confidential, unlike public court hearings.
- Control – Spouses design their own timeline and solutions.
- Reduced Conflict – The process emphasizes respect and problem-solving.
- Creative Solutions – Outcomes can be customized to family needs.
- Team Support – Neutral professionals can assist with financial or parenting issues.
- Cost Efficiency – Resources are used for solutions, not litigation battles.
Collaborative Divorce with Goranson Bain Ausley
At Goranson Bain Ausley, we are leaders in Collaborative Divorce throughout Texas. Our attorneys are recognized as skilled Collaborative Divorce lawyers in Fort Worth, guiding families through this process with professionalism and care.
Fort Worth Collaborative Divorce Lawyers
If you are considering divorce in Fort Worth and want to avoid the conflict and uncertainty of litigation, Collaborative Divorce may be the right choice for your family. The team at Goranson Bain Ausley is here to guide you every step of the way.
Our Fort Worth Location
Fort Worth Office:
1200 Summit Ave.
Suite 800
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: 817-735-4000
Fort Worth Client Reviews
Awards & Credentials
- Thomas P. Goranson 1997
- Thomas L. Ausley 1997
- Diana S. Friedman 1998
- Thomas A. Greenwald 2003
- Kathryn J. Murphy 2004
- Eric Robertson 2007
- Kelly Ausley-Flores 2009
- Cindy V. Tisdale 2010
- Kristal Thomson 2014
- Aimee Pingenot Key 2015
- Kristen A. Algert 2017
- P. Lindley Bain 2020
- Ryan R. Bauerle 2022
- Lindsey Obenhaus 2023
- Charla Davies 2024
- John J. Kappel 2024
- Chris Nickelson 2024
- Gary L. Nickelson 2024
- Cassidy Pearson 2024
- Cindy V. Tisdale 2024
- Thomas L. Ausley 1980
- Thomas P. Goranson 1980
- Gary L. Nickelson 1984
- Kathryn J. Murphy 1995
- Diana S. Friedman 1996
- Kristen A. Algert 1997
- Thomas A. Greenwald 1997
- Eric Robertson 1997
- Kelly Ausley-Flores 2000
- Curtis W. Harrison 2002
- Cindy V. Tisdale 2003
- Jeff Shore 2006
- Clint Westhoff 2006
- Jeff Domen 2009
- Kristal Thomson 2009
- Angel J. Berbarie 2010
- P. Lindley Bain 2012
- Aimee Pingenot Key 2012
- Kevin Davidson 2017
- Charla Davies 2017
- Rob Frazer 2018
- Ryan R. Bauerle 2018
- Hayley Collins Blair 2019
- Lindsey Obenhaus 2019
- Katie Flowers Samler 2019
- Jonathan James 2020
- John J. Kappel 2020
- Chris Nickelson 2021
- Chandler Rice Winslow 2023
- Kristiana Butler 2024
- Cassidy Pearson 2024
- Angelica Rolong Cormier 2024