San Antonio Court-Ordered Mediation Attorney

What Happens During Court-Ordered Mediation?

In most cases, Texas law requires spouses or parents to attempt mediation before the court will hear their divorce or family law matter. You may see the requirement to participate in mediation as a way for courts to reduce their caseload, and it may seem like another hoop you will have to jump through in order to resolve your legal issues. However, mediation can provide some very real benefits, and it may allow you to address disputes more effectively and create solutions that will work for everyone involved. Why not take advantage of these benefits when you are already required to make use of the mediation process?

Brandon Wong & Associates provides mediation services, and we have also represented clients in countless cases involving mediation and litigation in San Antonio and throughout Central Texas. We know the benefits that mediation can provide when participants make a good faith effort, as well as the complications that can arise when one or both parties refuse to engage in the process. With our guidance, you will know what to expect as you work to resolve your disputes, and we can advise you on how you can get the most out of your time in mediation.

5 Important Benefits of Mediation

Mediation is an out-of-court process. You and your spouse or your child's other parent will sit down together and attempt to work out all of the issues that will need to be resolved. This process requires cooperation and compromise, and both parties will need to be in complete agreement about all decisions made. Any agreement you reach will be legally binding, and once your settlement is approved by a family court judge, it will be enforceable in court. To ensure that you will be able to move forward successfully while avoiding future complications, you should always have an attorney help draft or review the agreement.

A legally enforceable document is not the only benefit of mediation. Some other advantages of this process include:

• Save time and money: Mediation is an informal process. By keeping the proceedings out of court, you will often be able to reach a solution in less time and for less money.
• Control over the decisions you make: You will have to make compromises, but by coming to agreements that both parties will be satisfied with, you can make sure you will have control over how matters will be resolved. This can often result in a much better outcome than by giving a judge the final say over the legal issues in your case.
• Satisfaction with the outcome: When you have control over the process, you are more likely to be satisfied with the results.
• Less stressful: Mediation is about cooperation rather than competition. Major life issues such as divorce are often easier for everyone when parties can work together, especially when children are involved. Going through mediation may help you determine the best ways to cooperate with your ex-spouse or your child's other parent in the future.
• Privacy: Courtrooms are open to the public, and you may not want to share the details of your private life in front of others. Mediation takes place behind closed doors, and all discussions will be completely confidential, ensuring that you can openly express your desires and address your concerns.

Contact Our Bexar County Family Law Mediation Attorneys

We encourage our clients to give mediation a good faith effort. However, this does not mean that we will not tenaciously litigate your case when necessary. If you would like to discuss your situation with a lawyer, please schedule an initial consultation by calling our office at 210-201-3832 or submitting a contact form.