Divorce Mediation in Texas

The process of dissolving a marriage is notorious for being emotionally taxing and for taking months or even years to complete. Not all divorces have to be stressful, however. There are ways to reach an amicable resolution to disputes that would otherwise require litigation. One of the easiest ways to resolve your marital issues without going to trial or the help of an attorney is through divorce mediation in Texas.

Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution that allows you to come to a practical and reasonable agreement outside of the courtroom on contentious items in your divorce decree. Both you and your soon-to-be-ex will work with a neutral third party, who is often a lawyer, to come to a mutual agreement without the need for litigating or bitter feelings. The best part is that you can participate in mediation without the need for a costly attorney.

In some counties, judges will require both sides to attempt mediation before deciding whether a contested divorce trial will be necessary to litigate a couple’s marital differences. In the context of an uncontested divorce, you can participate in alternative dispute resolution to ensure your concerns are heard and a fair compromise is reached before filing for divorce online.

Over the course of a week or even several months, both parties will sit down with a mediator to discuss whatever issues you do not agree on. For example, mediation can be especially helpful in addressing the division of your property or even the custody of minor children. The more complex your disagreements are, the more mediation might be required.

Before mediation begins, the mediator typically meets with each side in private to learn about their goals. This allows the mediator to quickly identify areas where the parties agree and where they do not see eye-to-eye. They can then work with both sides to reach an agreement that satisfies you and your ex.

If both parties are unable to work out all the details of their divorce during mediation, they have the right to move forward with litigation in court. However, if both parties reach an agreement, you can put it in writing and forward it to the judge for approval. Ultimately, the court will have the final say, particularly in matters of child custody, child support, and alimony.

There are many reasons why mediation is favorable over a traditional divorce. For instance, the time and money that go into divorce litigation are substantially higher than the costs associated with mediation. Many divorcing couples in Texas have also found that reaching common ground and finding a way to reach a settlement is easier through mediation.

Mediation is also much more flexible than divorce litigation where both spouses are at the whim of the court. There could be mandatory court appearances, and the schedule of the trial is dictated by the judge. In divorce mediation, you have control of the process.

Finally, spouses don’t lose anything by participating in divorce mediation. If it works, both individuals will likely save time and money. If it is unsuccessful, the option for a traditional divorce trial is still there.

There is no requirement for hiring an attorney to participate in divorce mediation. In fact, many spouses go into mediation on their own to avoid attorneys’ fees. Take the opportunity of mediation to discuss your concerns with your ex in a legal setting but without the legal fees.

Participating in divorce mediation in Texas would put you in a better position to dissolve your marriage online using our forms. Download our DIY divorce kit once you and your ex have reached an agreement on all the terms in your divorce decree.