I am intentionally writing this letter on Mother’s Day. On Mother’s Day, we celebrate the mothers we know and love and the mothers and grandmothers who have passed. We honor mothers because they are essential to human life. Given that mothers bring us into this world, we cannot thank them enough for the sacrifice and love they have given us. I think it is good for us to take a moment to thank the mothers around us.
As Collaborative professionals, we are used to helping clients make significant transitions in their personal lives, including as a mother or father. Too often, the children are collateral damage in a divorce. We help families in transition to minimize the pain and trauma of their divorce. Unlike many family litigators, Collaborative professionals pay particular attention to the welfare of children in divorces. We help our clients creatively establish new systems in their family with a particular focus on preserving the parents’ relationship for the benefit of their children.
I constantly talk to my clients about the effect of divorce on their children and about preserving a healthy and loving relationship between the children and both of their parents, as I know you do as well. When a new potential client meets with you about divorce, think about the importance of Mother’s Day and how much you can help that family create a healthy future for their children. While many fathers may not participate in celebrating Mother’s Day for their former wife, strive to work with them to encourage their children to celebrate their mother, especially after the parents have dissolved their marriage.
More than 100 of your colleagues have registered for the eleventh annual FACP Conference that will take place on June 8-10, 2023 at the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek in Orlando. The keynote speaker will be Woody Mosten, who is an innovative family mediator and who is credited with convincing the American Bar Association to recognize the concept of unbundled legal services. The Collaborative Process is perhaps the most well-known example of unbundled legal services and we are fortunate to have Woody not only join us as our keynote speaker, but he will also be presenting a workshop on Thursday, June 8th at 3:30 PM on true client involvement in the Collaborative Process. He will speak with all of us on Friday morning on redefining and expanding the paradigm shift, and he will present a workshop on “Moving from Client Centered to True Client Involvement in the Collaborative Process.” Other workshops will be presented on topics such as the law and the Collaborative Process, Collaborative ethics, divorce mortgage planning, resolving team conflicts, diversity in the Collaborative Process, using outside experts in matters involving children with special needs, expanding your client base and unconscious bias. There is still time for you to join us. In addition to the unique and excellent learning experience, you will have a great time and meet like-minded professionals from not only Florida, but from around the United States and Canada. Please join me and your many colleagues by going to the FACP website to register for the conference.
I hope to see you and hopefully even get a hug from you at our conference in Orlando in June. Best hug wins!
