MEDIATION, simply put, is a process in which two parties in conflict meet with neutral, but highly-trained professionals to help reach a satisfactory solution.

WHAT ABOUT DIVORCE MEDIATION IN HOUSTON?

 

          In Houston there are two modes of mediation when it comes to divorce. Typically divorcing couples are advised to wait until late in the process to try mediation…..wait until a trial is imminent…... wait until thousands of dollars have been expended to gather information that they could have shared with each other in the first place…….wait until anger has reached a high point. A day is set for mediation and the pressure is intense to settle in four, six, or eight hours.  This differs little from the average high-pressure settlement conferences that take place in the hall outside the courtroom. And these "Settlement-Driven" Mediations can be enormously costly because the couple must pay the attorneys for both parties as well as the attorney-mediator for the entire session. When your mediator is focused on the goal of "Let's just get this divorce settled!" you may end up paying a much higher price than you and your family can really afford.

           

SO WHAT IS THE OTHER WAY?

 

            In "Early Intervention" Mediation both parties meet with mediators, Don  Graul and Carol Hoffman, who help them examine their situation in terms of their individual needs and interests and in the interests of the children.  The work is usually done in two-hour sessions, and there is time for "homework" to be done and advisors to be consulted in the time between mediation sessions. Relevant information is gathered which may include budgets, business records, tax returns, property valuations, and the needs of each child.  Settlement options are developed and discussed to be sure they meet everyone's goals fairly. 

 

WHO WILL BE MY ADVOCATE?

 

You will be able to use your own attorney for legal advice, your own accountant or financial counselor for financial advice, and your own therapist or coach for emotional support in private sessions.  Generally clients find that they do not need to bring their individual advocates to the "Early Intervention" Mediation sessions.