Divorce Mediation

A Unique Divorce Solution That Works

At Divorce Strategies Group (DSG) our mediation process combines the expertise of an experienced Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and mediator with two experienced family law attorneys working to help you achieve a settlement encompassing resolution with both your children’s issues and your finances. The primary goal of mediation is to secure favorable outcomes where the parties settle their differences outside of the court room by their own final choice, privately and confidentially.

Stay Out of Court – Get On With Your Life

Do you and your spouse know divorce is inevitable but don’t want a long, expensive battle? Have you heard horror stories about divorce or had a bad divorce in the past and don’t want to relive that experience? Do you want to still be able to get along for your children’s sake? If so, we can help you.

Early Intervention Divorce Mediation in Texas is a way to divorce without the long, drawn-out battle. We strive to decrease the adversarial court environment and promote a cooperative win-win environment.

Divorce Mediation 7 Step Process

Every family is different. Every divorce is different. However, it is our belief that families in general, are hurt considerably by long, litigated court battles. Mediation is a positive alternative to the litigation process. We provide alternative dispute resolution services in a 7-step process where you will be guided each step of the way by Denise French & her partnering attorneys.

Step 1

An initial meeting with Denise French and both spouses. In this meeting we will learn about your situation, answer any questions you have on the process, and receive clarity on the desired outcomes of each party. We will also provide a list of documents we need for the estate valuation.

Step 2

You will upload your financial data to a secure portal.  We will then complete all the data entry, analysis, and report preparation regarding your estate as well as post-divorce cash flows and tax options for each of you.

Step 3

Individual sessions are scheduled with each party to discuss your interests and review our findings regarding your finances. We will discuss your estate, taxation pursuant to the divorce and post-divorce cash flow needs and options.

Step 4

We will bring in attorneys at this point. Each spouse will have an attorney who works at a mediation rate (or reduced rate) providing advocacy and legal counsel to each party individually. We at DSG have sought out collaborative minded, settlement focused family law attorneys whom we recommend.

Each party will have their own counsel ‘in their corner’ providing advocacy while keeping the big picture of settling outside of court in mind. These attorneys are veteran, experienced family law attorneys who have seen the negative impact of families and children in court and want to help families going forward avoid this impact.

If you have minor children, we will begin to discuss a parenting plan.  The parenting plan includes visitation schedules, parent rights and duties, child support, co-parenting, children’s health care, education, any psychological and psychiatric needs, as well as any other pertinent needs or details surrounding your minor children.  Each party will meet with their respective attorney to discuss children’s issues as well as financial issues.

Step 5

We schedule a mediation session which includes Denise French, each party, and the attorneys.  Each party will be in a separate room during this process. We will negotiate the financial issues you do not agree on yet and finalize the financials. If you have minor children, we will negotiate the terms of your parenting plan.  We work with you both to obtain a parenting plan you are comfortable with in a win – win environment for everyone.

Agreements at the end of mediation are memorialized in a Mediated Settlement Agreement (MSA) which is legal, final and binding. This will end the negotiations and the parties will then begin to separate banking and other financial accounts and may also begin visitation schedules with minor children. 

Step 6

The MSA is then drafted into a Decree of Divorce which is required by the courts to finalize your divorce. The decree drafting is completed by an attorney as required by Texas Law and finalization is then completed for a few minutes in a “prove up” in the court room with the attorney and the party who filed or both parties if they both wish to be present.   Some courts are doing these ‘prove ups’ remotely or with just paperwork. This will be dependent on your court.

Step 7

New Normal Strategy Session – We want to give you the best chance at successfully executing your settlement and financially supporting individual households. We meet with each of you individually after the MSA is completed to create a post-divorce financial plan to help you thrive as you start a new chapter in your life!