If you are planning to file for divorce, or if you are in the early stages of separating from your spouse and making plans for divorce in Texas, you should learn more about the benefits of divorce mediation. Many people in Texas who decide to get divorced do not realize that the divorce process does not have to be an adversarial one involving litigation.
Rather, with assistance from your Dallas divorce attorney, it may be possible to work out a divorce solution with your spouse that allows you both to play a bigger role in the outcome of the case and to avoid long days in a courtroom. While the Texas Family Code governs many issues pertaining to divorces in Dallas, it does not require you to go before a judge in order to have divorce disputes resolved.
Why should you consider mediation? There are numerous reasons, and we want to discuss them with you.
Your Divorce Can Be Faster
As you might already know, in mediation, there is no judge who hears both spouses’ sides of the divorce case and issues a decision about the division of community property or child custody. Instead, in divorce mediation, a neutral third party known as a mediator helps to facilitate dialogue between the spouses so that the spouses can reach an agreement about the outcome of their divorce. Since there is no need to wait for a court hearing date or to wait for more than one hearing date, divorces can usually be wrapped up much more quickly with divorce mediation than with divorce litigation.
Your Divorce Can Be Less Expensive
Since mediation typically takes less time and does not require courtroom hearings, it is typically more cost-effective than a divorce case that goes before a judge.
Family Issues Can Remain Private
The issues that arise in divorce mediation are not part of any public record, which means that family issues that could become public in a contentious divorce case that goes before a judge can remain private in mediation.
You Can Improve Communication with Your Spouse
Since divorce mediation requires you to engage in dialogue with your spouse to reach an agreement, mediation can help to improve your communication skills with your ex. For parties who share minor children from the marriage and will be co-parenting, communication skills are essential.
You Can Still Go to Court If You Cannot Reach an Agreement
When it comes to divorce mediation in Texas, there is really nothing to lose. Since mediation is not binding unless the parties are able to reach an agreement, you can always move forward with your case by asking a judge to hear the case and to rule on issues like community property division, maintenance, and custody.
Contact a Dallas Divorce Lawyer to Learn More
Do you have questions about the benefits of divorce mediation in Texas? One of our experienced Dallas divorce attorneys can speak with you today about your divorce and how mediation might be advantageous for you. Contact Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP for assistance with your divorce.