Houston Mediation Attorney

What is Divorce Mediation?

Aside from court litigation, mediation is an alternate way to settle various family disputes, such as divorce, child custody, child support, and property division in an amicable manner. It is comprised of you and your lawyer, your spouse and their lawyer, and the mediator, who may be an experienced family law attorney, marriage counselor, social worker, or psychologist. The job of the mediator is to assist you and your spouse come to a compromise with both parties’ disagreements in a constructive way in order to reach a “win-win” decision, as opposed to a “win-lose” situation which is often the result of court litigation.

The Benefits of Mediation

There are a plethora of benefits to mediation. Since the mediator listens to what both parties have to say, he/she can arrive at a creative and customized solution to your case without the overwhelming stress of being in court. However, if there is a history of abuse or domestic violence, as well as allegations of both, then court litigation is necessary.

It is Less Expensive
One of the primary motivations for a couple to pursue mediation services is that it is less expensive than a typical divorce. In most cases, you and your spouse will pay one professional who will help you reach a resolution. Following are some of the additional costs that you can avoid through mediation:

• Paying to wait for your time at court
• Drafting of motion papers back and forth
• Cost of two attorneys

With mediation, you have a better idea of the total cost upfront, with minimal financial surprises. Additionally, the costs for mediation are split between both parties.

Preservation of Relationships
Mediation is a collaborative process, rather than adversarial. In a typical divorce proceeding, attorneys come to court ready to fight. This often results in words that are harsh and hostile. The mediation process focuses on resolving problems and arriving at a mutual decision.

You Have Control Over the Discussion
With mediation, you are able to choose the topics that you want to have settled, rather than allowing the court to determine the issues. During trial, your attorney will represent your interests and you lose the opportunity to discuss your concerns.

The Process is Often Faster
With mediation, parties often set their own timetable for resolving the issues they need and do not have to wait months for their next court date or for a time for the two lawyers to coordinate. In many cases, both parties can even resolve their issues within a few sessions.

More Confidential and Personal
All communication and documents in mediation are confidential. Your meetings are private rather than arguing your personal family matters in a public courtroom with strangers.

Greater Post-Divorce Benefits
When all of the above factors are considered, the stability of the family after the divorce is official will often be much greater. Since the adversarial process of trial is taken out of the equation, all members of the family generally feel like their voices have actually been heard. This process also helps preserve the ability for family members to communicate.

Contact a Certified Mediation Attorney

At the Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny, we possess an extensive knowledge of the Texas legal system and laws in order to get the results you desire, whether we act as your lawyer or mediator for your family law case. With over 30 years of legal experience, our Houston divorce attorneys can help you and your former spouse come to an agreement that works for both parties.

For more information about mediation, contact our firm and schedule your consultation.