Pro Se Academy5. Mediation
Courts can refer family cases to mediation (Tex. Fam. Code § 6.602; Tex. Fam. Code § 153.0071), and many county standing orders encourage it. A Mediated Settlement Agreement (MSA) is binding and the court must enter judgment on it if it (1) prominently states, in boldfaced, capitalized, or underlined letters, that it is not subject to revocation, (2) is signed by each party, and (3) is signed by each party's attorney, if any, who is present. A court may decline to enter an MSA in limited family-violence situations.
An MSA is very hard to undo. Read every line before you sign.
Family violence: if the other party committed family violence against you, you can file a written objection to mediation. If mediation still goes forward, the court must order safety measures such as separate rooms (Tex. Fam. Code § 6.602(d), Tex. Fam. Code § 153.0071(f)). Free help: Hope's Door 24-hour hotline 972-276-0057.
Family violence: if the other party committed family violence against you, you can file a written objection to mediation. If mediation still goes forward, the court must order safety measures such as separate rooms (Tex. Fam. Code § 6.602(d), Tex. Fam. Code § 153.0071(f)). Free help: Hope's Door 24-hour hotline 972-276-0057.
Low-cost mediation may be available through local dispute resolution centers. Ask the court coordinator.
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