No, you can’t represent yourself in a collaborative divorce in Texas.
Collaborative law is a voluntary process that requires a written agreement of parties and their lawyers. A party cannot participate unless represented by a lawyer. There is no judical intervention (except the memorialized agreements). The court process is suspended. The collaborative lawyers may not serve as litigation counsel in the matter. They must withdraw if a settlement is not reached.
In 2001, Texas became the 1st state in the U.S. to pass statutes specifically authorizing collaborative law. The Texas Family Code has 2 mirroring statutes which are §6.603 and §153.0072. Section 6.603 was enacted to address collaborative law in divorce actions while Section 153.002 covers all suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
To reach The Law Office of Shannon M. Sears, P.C., please call 817-442-9880 or 214-709-3409
