Divorce Services in Frisco, TX
At New Roots Counseling in Frisco, we understand that navigating divorce is one of the most challenging experiences a family can face. Our specialized Divorce Services are designed to support you through every step of the process, providing expert guidance and compassionate care. We offer Collaborative Divorce Facilitation, Parenting Planning for Divorce, and Parent Coordination / Facilitation to help families transition smoothly while prioritizing the well-being of their children.
Collaborative Divorce Facilitation
What is Collaborative Divorce?
Collaborative Divorce is an alternative dispute resolution process designed for couples seeking a cooperative, non-adversarial approach to divorce. In Texas, this method emphasizes open communication, mutual respect, and negotiation, allowing couples to reach fair, mutually beneficial agreements without litigation. The goal is to address the needs of both spouses and any children involved, avoiding the stress and conflict that often accompany traditional divorce proceedings.
During a Collaborative Divorce, each spouse retains their own attorney, trained specifically in the collaborative process. The attorneys work together with both spouses to facilitate discussions, provide legal advice, and help reach a settlement. The spouses sign a participation agreement, committing to resolve all issues outside of court and work toward a mutually satisfactory agreement.
Key Features of Collaborative Divorce in Texas:
- Voluntary Participation: Collaborative Divorce is entirely voluntary, requiring both spouses to agree to resolve their issues through collaboration rather than litigation.
- Open Communication: This process fosters honest and open dialogue between spouses and their attorneys, promoting respect and transparency as concerns and goals are addressed.
- Neutral Professionals: In some cases, neutral professionals like divorce coaches, financial experts, or child specialists may join the team to provide additional guidance on finances, co-parenting, or emotional well-being.
- Settlement-Oriented: The focus is on reaching a settlement that meets the interests of both spouses and their children, prioritizing creative solutions and problem-solving over conflict.
- Confidentiality: All discussions within the Collaborative Divorce process are confidential, encouraging open sharing of information without fear that it will be used in court.
- Exclusion of Litigation: If the collaborative process fails and litigation becomes necessary, both spouses must hire new attorneys, incentivizing all parties to work toward resolution.
Why choose Us for Your Collaborative Divorce Facilitation?
At New Roots Counseling, our founder, Katie Zuverink, is an expert in Collaborative Divorce, with years of experience in facilitating amicable and productive resolutions. Katie has led advanced training in Texas, Michigan, and internationally on effective Collaborative Divorce practices, ensuring that your divorce process is as efficient and family-focused as possible.
As members of Collaborative Divorce Texas and the International Association of Collaborative Professionals, we are uniquely positioned to help you navigate this process with confidence.
Considering a Collaborative Divorce?
Contact us today for a consultation and discover how we can help you.
Parenting Planning
When you and your spouse are divorcing and have children under 18, Texas law requires that your Divorce Decree includes a comprehensive parenting plan. At New Roots Counseling in Frisco, we specialize in creating parenting plans that prioritize the needs of your children, providing structure and guidance as you transition into co-parenting.
In Texas, terms like “Conservatorship,” “Access,” and “Possession” may sound intimidating, but we focus on what truly matters—Parenting Time and ensuring the well-being of your children.
Our Parenting Specialists, Meagan Jackson and Katie Zuverink, have advanced training in child development and co-parenting strategies. They will work closely with you to:
- Understand the legal requirements of Texas family law.
- Develop a parenting plan that is developmentally appropriate for your children.
- Provide educational resources to help you make informed decisions.
- Ensure the best possible outcome for your family as you navigate divorce.
Once we create your customized parenting plan, it will be ready to present to your attorneys for inclusion in your Divorce Decree. We also offer simplified versions in “plain English” to help both parents stay aligned as you move forward.
Need help with Parenting Planning for Divorce?
Contact us today for a free 30-minute consultation.
Parent Coordination / Parent Facilitation
What is Parent Coordination / Parent Facilitation?
Parent Coordination and Parent Facilitation are essential services that assist parents in high-conflict divorce cases, helping them resolve disputes related to co-parenting. While both roles focus on improving communication and collaboration between parents, there are key differences:
- Parent Coordinator (PC): Appointed by the court, a Parent Coordinator facilitates confidential discussions between divorced parents, helping them reach agreements on parenting issues.
- Parent Facilitator (PF): A Parent Facilitator, also appointed by the court, provides similar guidance but does not maintain confidentiality, meaning they may testify in court if necessary.
The role of a PC or PF include:
- Identify disputed issues and reduce misunderstandings.
- Facilitate problem-solving and collaboration between parents.
- Help parents comply with court orders related to conservatorship or possession of the child.
- Develop methods for improved co-parenting and conflict resolution.
The court maintains the right to make decisions about conservatorship, child support, and possession of and access to the child. The court also maintains the authority to exercise management and control over the suit. (Texas Family Code sec. 153.606.)
In other words, the Parenting Coordinator or Parenting Facilitator can work to facilitate agreement on disputed issues or can encourage compliance with the court orders, but the PC or PF cannot permanently modify custody or possession orders.
A PC may submit a report to the court and parties as requested by the court. This report is limited to a simple statement as to whether the PC thinks parent coordination should continue. (Texas Family Code sec 153.608.)
A PF must submit a report to the court and parties as requested by the court. (Texas Family Code 153.6081.) The PF may make recommendations to the court and parties to implement or clarify provisions of the existing court order that are consistent with the intent of the court order and in the best interest of the child. However, the recommendations cannot address conservatorship, support, or possession modifications. (Texas Family Code 153.082.)
Why Choose New Roots for Parent Coordination / Facilitation?
At New Roots Counseling, both Meagan Jackson and Katie Zuverink are certified Parent Coordinators and Facilitators with over a decade of experience working with families. They are passionate about helping parents move from conflict to cooperation, always with the best interests of the children in mind.
If your family is navigating high-conflict co-parenting and could benefit from Parent Coordination or Parent Facilitation, we are here to guide you through the process and help you create a healthier, more peaceful family dynamic.
Steps to Get Started:
- Contact Us: Call our office to check availability (of Katie and / or Meagan) for Parent Coordination or Parent Facilitation services.
- Court Order: Work with your attorney to establish a court order for PC or PF services. We have 2 draft orders of Court Orders linked here:
- Submit Documents: Provide the court order, Divorce Decree, and any relevant parenting documents to our office.
- Complete Intake Forms: Fill out required forms via our online portal:
- Pay Retainer: A retainer is required before beginning services.
- Complete Parenting Course: We recommend the Between Two Homes 6 hour online Course for additional guidance.
*We are not affiliated: This is just excellent material* - Begin Meetings: Once everything is in place, you’ll begin your PC/PF sessions.
Ready to start with Parent Coordination or Parent Facilitation?
Contact us today to take the first step toward better co-parenting.
At New Roots Counseling in Frisco, we are committed to providing compassionate and expert support for families navigating divorce. Whether you are exploring Collaborative Divorce, need assistance with Parenting Planning, or require Parent Coordination / Facilitation, our experienced team is here to help you create a positive path forward for you and your children.
Let’s Start the Conversation.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation