Becoming a member
The Collaborative Family Law Association offers two levels of membership; Full Member and Associate Member. Full members are permitted to vote on issues affecting the association and are listed on marketing material distributed by the organization. All Associate Members are encouraged and assisted, to the extent possible, to complete requirements to become a Full Member; however, there is no time requirement for completion of the requirements to become a Full member. Associate members must meet the educational and licensing requirements as detailed below, pay one-half of the initiation fee, and may participate in meetings and committees.
All members must diligently strive to practice in a manner consistent with the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals' Principles of Collaborative Practice and the IACP Ethical Standards for Collaborative Practitioners. In addition, members must attend at least 3 regular association meetings per membership year; actively participate on a committee or as an officer of the association; use the Corporation's required documents; be current in payment of any required initiation fees, dues, assessments or any other amount due to the association.
Those interested in membership are required to submit a written and signed application along with payment of the required initiation fee and/or dues. Applications for membership and renewal applications are due between April 1 and May 15th each year. The membership year is July 1 through June 30.
Please contact us at our phone number (314) 863-0033 to learn more. We welcome visitors and non-member participation as well at membership meetings, trainings, and other events.
The basic requirements for each profession are as follows:
- Attorneys
- Mental Health Professionals (Coach & Child Specialist)
- Financial Professionals (Financial Specialist)
Attorneys
- Must have a juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school and be in good standing with the Missouri Bar
- Be engaged in the practice of law for a minimum of 3 years
- Must maintain the minimum malpractice insurance offered by the Missouri Bar Plan
- In the preceding 3 year period, at least 40%of practice must involve family law issues
- Complete at least one 40-hour training in client centered, facilitative conflict resolution (i.e. mediation training) which shall include divorce mediation as a component of the training
- Have completed at least a basic twelve hour interdisciplinary collaborative training (by trainers who meet the IACP minimum standards), and
- Complete an additional accumulation or aggregate of 10 hours every two years of training in any or all of the following areas: collaborative training, advanced mediation training or family law.
Mental Health Professionals- (both Coaches and Child Specialists)
- Must have a master's degree or above from a school accredited by their profession
- Have a current Mental Health Professional License in good standing in one of the following: Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Professional Counselor;
- Must maintain malpractice insurance coverage appropriate to the license of the professional, which also covers the role as coach and/or child specialist in collaborative cases
- Must have completed at least a basic twelve hour basic interdisciplinary collaborative training (by trainers who meet the IACP minimum standards)
- Must have completed at least one 40-hour training in client centered, facilitative conflict resolution (i.e. mediation training) which shall include divorce mediation as a component of the training
- Complete a minimum of three hours of training aimed at giving the mental health professional a basic understanding of family law in his/her own jurisdiction, to be obtained during the first year of membership and renewed every three years thereafter; and
- Complete an additional 10 hours every two years of training in any or all of the following areas: collaborative training (beyond the minimum 12 hours of collaborative training), advanced mediation training or other training relevant to collaborative practice which qualifies for Continuing Education Credits in the member's area of certification or licensure.
In addition Coaches and Child Specialists have the following requirements:
Coaches
- have background, education, and training in: family systems theory; individual and family life cycle development; assessment of individual and family strengths; assessment and challenges of family dynamics in separation and divorce;
- challenges of restructuring families after separation
- and have a minimum of three years of post degree clinical experience using the skills and knowledge listed in the above
Child Specialists
- have background, education and training in child development with a focus on children and their issues in divorce
- and have a minimum of three years of post degree clinical
- experience using the skills and knowledge listed in the above which would give the professional an in depth understanding of children's unique issues in divorce
Financial Professional Members:
- Have a bachelor's degree and a professional license or designation in good standing in one of the following: CFP - Certified Financial Planner; CPA - Certified Public Accountant; CA - Chartered Accountant; CFA - Certified Financial Analyst
- Three years of experience and education in the financial aspects of divorce and/or personal financial planning concepts, which may include cash management and spending plans; retirement and pension plans; income tax; investments; real estate; insurance; property valuation and division; individual and family financial planning concepts
- Have completed a basic twelve hour interdisciplinary collaborative training (by trainers who meet the IACP minimum standards)
- Complete an accumulation or aggregate of 20 hours of education in the financial fundamentals of divorce giving the financial professional a basic understanding of family law in his/her own jurisdiction, including: divorce procedures; property valuation and division; pensions and retirement plans; budgeting income and expenses; child and spousal support; future income projections; financial implications of different scenarios for settlement
- Complete, during the first year of membership if not earlier, at least one 40-hour training in client centered, facilitative conflict resolution (i.e. mediation training) which shall include divorce mediation as a component of the training
- Complete 10 hours every two years of training in any or all of the following areas: communication skills training; collaborative training; advanced mediation training, family law or other training relevant to collaborative practice which qualifies for Continuing Education credits in the professional's field; and
- Maintain malpractice insurance coverage appropriate to the license of the professional.
