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A Little Known Process for Divorce That Can Save You Money

Thomas A. Greenwald | April 9, 2019

Four of the most frequently asked questions at the beginning of a divorce are:

1. How long will it take to get a divorce?
2. How much will it cost to get a divorce?
3. Do my spouse and I both need to hire attorneys to get a divorce?
4. How do I get started and how do I finalize the divorce case?

Parties Only Family Law Mediation (also known as No Attorney Mediation) can be faster and less expensive than traditional approaches to divorce. Furthermore, Parties Only Family Law Mediation also provide each party with an efficient way to obtain the relevant information they need to finalize their divorce. This article is intended to outline how Parties Only Family Law Mediation works and why it may be a better alternative to litigation, collaborative law, and traditional settlement methods.

1. How long will it take to get a divorce?

The traditional adversarial model of litigation does always not fit well with divorce cases. As a result, divorce cases can last up to a year or more. According to Lawyers.com, the average duration of a divorce in Texas is 12.5 months. On the other hand, Parties Only Family Law Mediation is designed to assist the parties in settling their case at a single meeting or a series of shorter meetings. Depending on the amount of preparation done in advance of the Parties Only Family Law Mediation meeting, many divorce cases can be settled in 8 hours or less.

2. How much will it cost to get a divorce?

More than 95% of divorce cases settle before going to trial. The key is finding a way to settle cases before thousands of dollars are spent on legal fees. According to Lawyers.com, the average cost of a divorce in Texas is $15,600. If you have children, the average cost for a divorce in Texas is $23,500. In Parties Only Family Law Mediation, the parties are paying one mediator fee of approximately $1,400 for a half day or $2,800 for a full day.

3. Do my spouse and I both need to hire attorneys to get a divorce?

You do not always need an attorney to get a divorce. People typically hire an attorney because they want to be sure their agreement is properly drafted and that all of the issues are properly addressed. A family law attorney, acting as mediator, can draft a written agreement based on the parties’ settlement at mediation. A mediator can also suggest additional terms for inclusion in the draft agreement. This is particularly important because an experienced family law attorney acting as a mediator can make sure that all the issues are addressed in the settlement so the final terms will be accepted by the judge and so there are no problems after divorce because some provisions were not addressed in the decree. Common mistakes are forgotten property and missing child-related provisions.

4. How do I get started and how do I finalize the divorce case?

Once you have an agreement regarding the terms of your divorce, the Texas Supreme Court has simple forms available to file the divorce (petition) and to finalize the divorce (decree). As part of the Parties Only Family Law Mediation process, your mediator can provide you with copies of the forms as well as a step-by-step plan to finalize the case.

To find out if Parties Only Family Law Mediation is right for you, please contact Tom Greenwald at [email protected] or (214) 473-9696.

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