A divorce mediation lawyer in Southlake helps couples resolve disputes over property division, child custody, and support through guided negotiation rather than a courtroom battle. Under Texas Family Code § 6.602, courts can order mediation at any point during a divorce, and most Tarrant County family courts require it before trial. The right attorney can protect your rights at the mediation table while helping you reach a fair, enforceable agreement.
Varghese Summersett’s Family Law Group is one of the most experienced divorce and mediation practices in the Southlake area. With a team of 70+ legal professionals, offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and Southlake, and over 100 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys bring unmatched depth to even the most difficult cases. Our family law team includes multiple licensed mediators and attorneys who have handled thousands of family law proceedings, from straightforward uncontested divorces to high-net-worth property fights.
Partner Craig Jackson is a cornerstone of the firm’s mediation practice. Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2004, Craig has nearly three decades of family law experience. He previously served as the Associate Judge for the 360th District Court in Tarrant County, where he presided over hundreds of contested hearings and numerous final trials. That judicial experience gives him a rare perspective on how family courts evaluate evidence, weigh arguments, and reach decisions. He has successfully mediated hundreds of family law cases, served as lead counsel in thousands of family court proceedings, and handled dozens of appellate matters including direct appeals, petitions for mandamus, and petitions for habeas corpus. Craig has been routinely recognized as a Super Lawyer as published in Texas Monthly and Super Lawyers magazine and serves on the Texas State Bar’s Texas Family Law Practice Manual committee.
The Family Law Division is led by Partner Turner Thornton, a licensed mediator recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Family Law, a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, and a Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine. Turner has successfully guided hundreds of individuals and families through divorce, child custody disputes, and property division. The team also includes Partner Dena Wilson, who brings over two decades of family law experience and has been named a Super Lawyer every year since 2012, and Senior Associate Kristen Carr, a licensed mediator recognized by Best Lawyers in America who has handled hundreds of family law matters.
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What Does a Divorce Mediation Lawyer Do?
A divorce mediation lawyer serves a dual role. First, they are your advocate, advising you on your legal rights, helping you understand what a fair outcome looks like, and making sure you don’t agree to terms that could harm you down the road. Second, they prepare you for the mediation process itself, gathering financial documents, identifying the issues that matter most, and developing a strategy for negotiation.
Many people confuse the mediator with a lawyer. They are different. The mediator is a neutral third party who facilitates conversation between the two sides. Your divorce attorney sits beside you, ensuring your interests are protected throughout the process. Having experienced legal counsel at the mediation table is one of the most effective ways to reach an agreement you can live with.
Why Southlake Couples Choose Mediation
Southlake families often have complex financial portfolios, business interests, real estate holdings, and retirement accounts that require careful division. Mediation allows both parties to take a more active role in crafting creative solutions that a judge may not have the time or information to develop in a brief courtroom hearing.
Mediation also offers privacy. Divorce proceedings that go to trial become part of the public record. In a community like Southlake, where many families are well-known in business and social circles, the ability to resolve disputes confidentially is a significant advantage. Mediation sessions are not recorded, and the discussions that take place are protected from being used in court later.
Cost and time savings are another major factor. A contested divorce that goes to trial in Tarrant County can take 12 to 18 months and cost tens of thousands of dollars in attorney fees, expert witness fees, and court costs. Mediation can resolve the same issues in a fraction of the time at a fraction of the cost.
Texas Law on Divorce Mediation
Under Texas Family Code § 6.602, a court may refer a divorce case to mediation on the motion of either party or on the court’s own initiative. In practice, most Tarrant County family courts require mediation before they will set a case for trial. The only exception is when there has been a history of family violence between the parties, in which case the court must consider whether mediation is appropriate under Texas Family Code § 153.0071.
The petitioner (the spouse who filed for divorce) bears the initial burden of establishing that the marriage has become insupportable due to discord or conflict of personalities that destroys the legitimate ends of the marital relationship and prevents any reasonable expectation of reconciliation. In a no-fault divorce, the petitioner does not need to prove wrongdoing by the other spouse. The standard is a preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is more likely than not that the marriage is insupportable.
If fault grounds are alleged, such as adultery, cruelty, or abandonment under Texas Family Code § 6.001 through § 6.007, the petitioner must prove those grounds by a preponderance of the evidence. Fault findings can affect property division and spousal maintenance awards.
For child custody, the standard is the best interest of the child under Texas Family Code § 153.002. There is a rebuttable presumption that joint managing conservatorship is in the child’s best interest under § 153.131. In mediation, parents have the opportunity to craft custody and possession schedules that are tailored to their family’s specific needs rather than relying on the court’s standard possession order.
What Issues Can Be Resolved in Mediation?
Virtually every issue in a Texas divorce can be addressed through mediation. These include:
- Property division: Texas is a community property state, meaning assets acquired during the marriage are presumed to belong to both spouses. Mediation allows couples to negotiate a “just and right” division, including the family home, investment accounts, retirement funds, and business interests. Learn more about marital property division.
- Child custody and possession: Parents can develop customized custody arrangements that account for work schedules, school calendars, extracurricular activities, and holiday traditions.
- Child support: Mediation can address child support amounts, medical support, and educational expenses.
- Spousal maintenance: Couples can negotiate the amount and duration of spousal support payments.
- Debt allocation: Mortgages, credit card balances, and other debts must be divided, and mediation allows for more flexible arrangements than a court order.
How Divorce Mediation Works in Southlake
Understanding what happens before, during, and after mediation can ease much of the anxiety that comes with the process.
Before Mediation: Preparation is Everything
Your attorney will gather all relevant financial documents, including tax returns, bank statements, retirement account statements, business records, and real property appraisals. They will also assess your goals and priorities so you walk into mediation with a clear strategy. Craig Jackson is known for his thorough pre-mediation preparation, studying all materials provided by the attorneys and preparing a draft mediated settlement agreement in advance so that no time is wasted once parties reach an agreement.
During the Session
Mediation typically begins with a joint session where the mediator explains the ground rules and each side gives a brief opening statement. From there, the parties usually move to separate rooms. The mediator shuttles between rooms, carrying offers and counteroffers, identifying areas of common ground, and helping both sides understand the strengths and weaknesses of their positions.
Sessions can last anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on the complexity of the issues. Your attorney is with you the entire time, advising you on whether to accept, reject, or counter each proposal.
The Mediated Settlement Agreement
If the parties reach an agreement, the mediator drafts a Mediated Settlement Agreement (MSA). Under Texas Family Code § 153.0071, an MSA that meets certain requirements is binding and irrevocable. This means once you sign it, you generally cannot change your mind. That is precisely why having an experienced attorney review every word before you sign is so critical.
The MSA is then incorporated into a final decree of divorce, which the court approves and enters as a binding court order.
When Mediation May Not Be the Right Fit
Mediation works well in many cases, but it is not appropriate for every situation. If there is a significant power imbalance between the parties, a history of domestic violence, or one spouse is hiding assets, a courtroom may be the safer and more effective venue. An experienced Southlake family lawyer can evaluate whether mediation or litigation is the better path for your case.
If mediation fails, it does not mean your case is over. Your attorney can prepare your case for trial, using the information gained during the mediation process to refine your strategy. In some cases, mediation narrows the issues so that the trial itself is shorter and less expensive.
Why Craig Jackson and Varghese Summersett for Mediation
Craig Jackson brings a combination of experience that few family lawyers in Texas can match. Having served as an Associate Judge for the 360th District Court in Tarrant County, Craig has seen family law disputes from the bench. He knows how judges think, how they evaluate evidence, and what moves the needle in contested hearings. That perspective is invaluable at the mediation table.
As Craig himself puts it, his experiences have taught him that judges and juries are unpredictable. He has won cases he expected to lose, and he has delivered strong courtroom performances that still resulted in unfavorable outcomes. By sharing those realities with the parties during mediation, he helps them understand the risk versus reward of going to trial, which creates the movement necessary for settlement.
Craig’s approach to mediation stands out in three ways: experience with the most complex and emotional family law disputes, thorough preparation before the first session begins, and a commitment to convenience and hospitality that makes the process as smooth as possible. Before each mediation, he prepares a draft settlement agreement that addresses all known issues, so the final document is clear, complete, and enforceable.
At Varghese Summersett, Craig is backed by a full-service family law team that can handle every aspect of your divorce, whether your case settles in a single mediation session or requires aggressive litigation through trial. That flexibility means you never have to switch law firms or start over with a new attorney if your circumstances change.
What to Expect From Varghese Summersett
From your first phone call, our team focuses on understanding your situation and your goals. We know that divorce is one of the most stressful experiences a person can go through, and we treat every client with the respect and attention they deserve.
When you work with Varghese Summersett for divorce mediation in Southlake, you can expect a thorough case evaluation to identify all assets, debts, and custody issues; a clear explanation of your legal rights and options under Texas law; strategic preparation for mediation, including document gathering, financial analysis, and goal-setting; skilled representation at the mediation table by attorneys who have handled thousands of family law cases; and careful review of any proposed settlement agreement before you sign.
Whether your case involves a straightforward division of assets or a multi-million-dollar estate with business interests and complex property issues, our team has the experience and resources to protect your future. To speak with a member of our family law team, call (817) 203-2220.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce Mediation in Southlake
Is mediation required before a divorce trial in Texas?
Most Tarrant County family courts require mediation before they will schedule a trial. Under Texas Family Code § 6.602, judges have the authority to order mediation at any stage of the divorce process. The goal is to give parties an opportunity to resolve disputes without the expense and uncertainty of trial.
Can I back out of a mediated settlement agreement?
Generally, no. Under Texas Family Code § 153.0071, a properly executed MSA is binding and irrevocable. There are very narrow exceptions, such as situations involving family violence, but once both parties sign the agreement, it will be incorporated into your final divorce decree. That is why having an attorney review the agreement before you sign is essential.
How long does divorce mediation take?
Most mediation sessions last between four and eight hours. Some cases settle in a single session, while others may require a second session. The total time depends on the number and complexity of the issues involved. Compared to a contested trial that could take a full year or more to reach, mediation is significantly faster.
What if mediation does not work?
If mediation does not result in a full agreement, the case proceeds toward trial. However, mediation often narrows the issues in dispute, which can make the trial shorter and less costly. Your attorney at Varghese Summersett is prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
How much does divorce mediation cost in Southlake?
Mediation costs vary depending on the mediator’s fees and the length of the session. However, mediation is almost always less expensive than a contested trial. When you factor in attorney fees, expert witness costs, and court expenses, mediation can save tens of thousands of dollars. Your attorney can provide a more specific estimate based on the details of your case.
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Talk to a Southlake Divorce Mediation Lawyer Today
If you are considering divorce in Southlake and want to explore mediation as a path forward, the family law team at Varghese Summersett is here to help. With Board Certified attorneys, licensed mediators, and a former Associate Judge on the team, you will have the experience and preparation you need to protect your rights and your family’s future. Call (817) 203-2220 to speak with a member of our family law team.
