Mediation

Along with her ability to aggressively litigate Family Law matters, Dawn Renken is a Licensed Mediator through ADR Services International Inc, since 2014. Traditionally, mediation has been shown to be an excellent option for couples seeking an amicable divorce who ultimately have compatible goals for property settlements and custody disputes. Mediation promotes a compromise that works well for both parties, while making it possible to avoid court appearances and additional attorney’s fees.

What is Divorce Mediation?

Divorce mediation is a private process in which a neutral third person (a mediator) helps divorcing couples reach a mutually satisfactory settlement of the issues in their case, including child support, custody and visitation, alimony, and property division. A mediator does not act as a judge, arbitrator, or counselor, but assists the spouses in reaching a voluntary agreement.

How is Mediation Used in Texas Divorce Cases?

Mediation is one of the most frequently used methods of negotiating a property or custody agreement in Texas divorce cases. An attempt at mediation is required in most Texas counties. 

Mediation has many benefits in divorce cases, including:

• mediation has a high success rate in resolving divorce issues, especially when both spouse are open to compromise and committed to reaching an agreement
• mediation is confidential—there’s no public record of what goes on in your sessions (as opposed to a public courtroom where a record of all proceedings is made)
• you and your spouse (not a judge) are in control of the decision-making process, and you have more flexibility in arriving at your own solutions
• mediation can help improve communication and make future interactions with your spouse easier (especially important if you will have an ongoing relationship because you have children together), and

What Happens Once we Reach an Agreement?

Once you reach an agreement the mediator will reduce it to writing in what’s known as a Mediated Settlement Agreement (“MSA”). Once both you and your spouse sign the agreement, it is a binding and irrevocable agreement that gets filed with the court. The MSA will be used to compose the more formal, final divorce paperwork that will be presented to the court for signature.

What if we Can’t Reach an Agreement in Mediation?

If mediation isn’t working, or if you and your spouse have reached agreement on most, but not all issues, you will probably end up in court, where a judge will make the final decisions on any remaining issues.

Along with her ability to aggressively litigate Family Law matters, Dawn Renken is a Licensed Mediator through ADR Services International Inc, since 2014. Traditionally, mediation has been shown to be an excellent option for couples seeking an amicable divorce who ultimately have compatible goals for property settlements and custody disputes. Mediation promotes a compromise that works well for both parties, while making it possible to avoid court appearances and additional attorney’s fees.