Donald R Royall - Family Attorneys: Houston TX

The Royalls' view of family law is that it is a very broad field that addresses the needs of families at all stages of life, from "the cradle to the grave" as they say. Accordingly, we offer our services not only in adoption matters, but in planning for the future of the family through the drafting of prenuptial agreements, wills, trusts and other important personal legal documents. We also handle simple estate planning, and estates and guardianships in probate. In between, we can assist in a range of services from small business formation to counsel concerning the problems of the elderly.*

Family law also includes divorce and child custody litigation, child support enforcement and modification, and a whole host of other related and equally unfortunate disputes. Naturally, we have a depth of experience in these matters as well, but have in recent years made the decision to concentrate our energies on the more positive aspects of the family law practice, leaving the bulk of that work to others. This accumulated expertise has not gone to waste however, as Mr. Royall now devotes a major part of his time and attention to resolving such matters through the use of Collaborative Law procedures. To learn more about this intelligent new approach to family law issues visit our Collaborative Law page.

Other than in connection with an adoption, or a paternity action, The Royalls accept new litigation clients only in a limited range of cases and under special circumstances. Nevertheless, we remain intimately involved in the broader spectrum of family law litigation issues and are willing and able to provide you with an independent, objective evaluation of your particular problem. We will assist you in finding the most appropriate way to resolve your problem, and we can help you locate the most appropriate professionals to assist you. Call us for a consultation so that you can be fully informed about what may lie ahead before you start making decisions or taking action.

Fellow - American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Donald R Royall
4550 Post Oak Pl #341
Houston TX 77027
Tel: 713 462-6500
Fax: 713 462-6570
E-mail: TheRoyalls@SWBell.net

Houston divorce lawyer Donald R. Royall has been one of the leaders in making Collaborative Law available to Texans as a new, intelligent, and effective form of Alternative Dispute Resolution uniquely designed to deal with family law issues. For a number of years he, and many of his colleagues in the family law practice have felt that "there must be a better way". A growing number of those lawyers feel that Collaborative Law is "that better way." The conviction of those lawyers led to the passage of a new statute, effective September 1, 2001, amending the Texas Family Code to recognize Collaborative Law as a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution specially designed to deal with family law issues.

Collaborative law is a process where two clients and two attorneys work together toward the sole goal of reaching an efficient, fair, comprehensive settlement of all issues. Each party selects independent collaborative counsel. Each lawyer's retainer agreement specifies that the lawyer is retained solely to assist the client in reaching a fair agreement and that under no circumstances will the lawyer represent the client if the matter goes to court. If the process fails to reach agreement and either party then wishes to have matters resolved in court, both collaborative attorneys are disqualified from further representation. They assist in the orderly transfer of the case to adversarial counsel. Experts are brought into the collaborative process as needed, but only as neutrals, jointly retained by both parties. . . . The process involves binding commitments to disclose voluntarily all relevant information, to proceed respectfully and in good faith, and to refrain from any threat of litigation during the collaborative process.

Mr. Royall has been trained in the special skills required for this new process, and is successfully employing them on behalf of clients at this time. He would be privileged to have the opportunity to evaluate your matter, and assist you in deciding whether or not Collaborative Law is that "better way" for you.