First Succesful reconciliation law(tm) session

Last Friday we had the 1st successful reconciliation law(tm) session. Another lawyer, a couple, and I met for 2 1/2 hours to work on a post nuptial agreement and to begin marriage education. The couple reported that they had tried for 10 years to discuss budgets but could not do it without fighting. We taught them basic "customer and order taker" role playing and it worked! They reported that over the weekend they were able to continue to discuss their budget without major conflict. We are now working on a post nuptial agreement and a marriage education skills plan. We are very excited about this development. I would like to hear your feedback, whether from couples or professionals.

About Michael Hiller and Reconciliation Law

I am Michael Hiller, Board Certified Family Law Attorney based in Houston, Texas. Practicing law since 1989, I received my education at Brown University and University of Houston Law Center. You may not be familiar with the different aspects of Family Law, so I'll outline a few of these here.

Traditional Family Law - This is the trial or setlement of cases (also known as litigation) involving such matters as divorce, property division, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity, protective orders, or other matrimonial matters. A peaceful approach emphasizes negotiating your case without the court deciding. Family Law also includes marital agreements (i.e. pre and post nuptials.)

Collaborative Law - The form of dispute resolution which removes the "win at all costs" approach from divorce. In this process, parties and their attorneys contractually agree at the outset to settle their disputes without going to court. Spouses avoid lengthy - and costly - "discovery" by agreeing to disclose and exchange all information required to make sensible and fair decisions. The result should be less expensive, less emotionally destructive, and more dignified resolution for more and more families.

When conflicted spouses enter into the Collaborative Law process their goals are to communicate honestly, focus on important issues, protect the children, discuss divorce issues only in a conference setting, and arrive at a final settlement out of court.

Reconciliation Law - The process where the couple creates a managed contract for themselves to work on their marriage for some period of time. How does it work? Your spouse wants the divorce but you don't (or vice versa). You can incorporate the resources necessary to do the work: Marriage and family therapists, spiritual leaders, marriage education, legal consultant, or RL mediator. Create a contract that outlines the specific issues to address and the timeframe you are willing to invest. You and your RL attorney and/or mediator oversee the process with periodic meetings. you will have the time to decide if the issues are being resolved or another course of action is required.

Contact Information:
Michael Hiller
Hiller and Associates, P.C.
Attorneys and Counselors at Law
1770 St James Pl, Ste 150
Houston, TX 77056
713-784-9500
mhiller@hillerlaw.com
www.hillerlaw.com

Working the House

Here’s the link to the committee meeting as well as the handwritten version of my testimony. If you scroll across and go to 3 hours and 50 minutes of the committee hearing, that’s when representative Chisom, myself and others start testifying for the bill. If you would like to get involved, please let me know. This bill is good for Texas families, and will provide good work for Marriage and Family Therapists, lawyers, and financial professionals.

http://www.house.state.tx.us/committees/broadcasts.php?session=81&committeeC ode=330

We want to remind you that as Peaceful Family Law Practice Group (PFLPG) members and friends that Reconciliation Law™ is only one piece of peaceful practice, and it’s an important piece. We also want to remind you we’re still trying to work out the kinks with training and we’d like your feedback, particularly from the lawyers. At this time, I am training one lawyer at a time as he has Reconciliation Law cases. Regarding training for peaceful litigation practice, Michael is in touch with Judge Rynd and proposing to him that his court adopt as a pilot project programs that are currently being used in two Indiana counties that exemplify what peaceful litigation practice is.

Texas Lawyer Feature Article

While we continue to do all kinds of regular and traditional family law we of course also offer Collaborative Law as well as something new I created called Reconciliation Law. We have started a group called Peaceful Family Law Practice Group which emphasizes peaceful resolution of cases whenever possible. While we continue to offer full litigation services for our family law clients we wanted you to know that we try to emphasize processes that allow couples, families and children to heal and move on in the best direction for them. The below link is an article featured in the Texas Lawyer about the first meeting of our practice group. Please enjoy and let me know what you think.

http://www.law.com/jsp/tx/PubArticleTX.jsp?id=1202428062902

New Law Launch

I recently launched “Three-Track Family Law™” which is an emphasis on the Peaceful Settlement of Family Law Litigation, Collaborative Law, and the new third track, “Reconciliation Law™”, which I created. I am forming a practice group of attorneys and allied professionals (financial, mental health and family educators) to promote these three ways of practicing family law. My effort is motivated by the need for peaceful resolution of cases whether through Collaborative Law or not, and the public’s desire for a structured way to reconcile their relationships in marriage and families especially when children are involved.

We are not only planning a meeting, but want to create an organization, training, a newsletter, as well to work with the legislature. We plan to offer training in “Peaceful Settlement of Litigation” and Reconciliation Law™.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Michael Hiller blog site, where you'll find all the latest information and research on the Family Law Practice. We will launch in full force soon, so be sure to check back for all new content!