A Higher Standard of Divorce Practice

Streamlined Divorce, developed by Michael Hiller, is designed to streamline your case, no matter the issues. For example, many cases don't need litigation, so we design your case without it. If you and your spouse and their lawyer see things the same way, then it's a whole lot easier. If, on the other hand, your ex is a narcissist, then we prepare for complex litigation. Even then, we have special training and experience that help us to keep even the most challenging high-conflict and parental alienation cases under control.

Most cases are somewhere between both parties being on the same page and both parties being on the opposite. That's where streamlined Divorce is significant. We contact the other lawyer and try to devise a way to control your case. That may be collaborative Divorce, mediation, or Start-to-Finish Arbitration, but no matter what, the goal is to keep things from becoming nasty.

Start-to-Finish Arbitration (StFA) is the ideal model, so we start with that as the goal. StFA provides a better process than courtroom litigation, where your case has no rules on how long it takes and how much it will cost. It is also designed to meet the new Texas rules on how long a case can go. Start-to-Finish Arbitration is designed for Divorce but can be used for all litigation. StFA differs from traditional arbitration because the arbitrator takes charge when the case starts and continues through the end. Also, it includes the ability to appeal to other arbitrators. Formal arbitration is usually out-of-control litigation until the final trial when the arbitrator first appears. StFA is also an alternative to collaborative Divorce, which can be expensive and take two years or more. StFA can be done with or without attorneys. The critical point is that StFA is new, so we try to incorporate as many elements of it as we can in your case.

The StFA agreement ALWAYS includes arbitration of the following:

1 The arbitrator takes charge at the beginning of the case and stays until the end. She presides over every hearing, including temporary orders, discovery disputes, enforcement (although not contempt), final and post-trial;

2. A list of all the issues that the arbitrator decides,

3. How long the case will take;

4. If at least one party wants to explore reconciliation, a ruling on that;

If the parties desire, the StF Arbitrator will decide:

1. If you will Mediate Before the Arbitrator starts a hearing.

2. The total fees that can be expended, based on the size and complexity of the estate and the children's issues;

3. What issues can be discovered, and to what extent (what discovery can be done, or an agreement that there must be full disclosure);

4. Any other issue that will prevent the case from being out of control, becoming a nasty or toxic divorce or custody matter;

5. whether you will have jointly engaged experts or be independent?

6. Whether 1 or 3 arbitrators will hear appeals on decisions;

7. Any other issue that isn't against the law or public policy.

Start-to-Finish Arbitration aims to give the parties certainty that decisions will be made without one or both parties going off the rails, without the risk of being out-of-control, stressful, and expensive. Remember, if we can't do Start-to-Finish Arbitration, Then we incorporate as many elements as possible so that your case is a Streamlined Divorce.

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