Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Mediation
Policies in the Dallas Family District Courts
Dallas Divorce and Family Law Specialists Raggio & Raggio
believe that many family law cases are best resolved by some
method short of trial. Mediation is commonly used. The Dallas
Court's policies follow. Collin County and Denton County
procedures are quite similar. The attorneys at Raggio &
Raggio have been appointed by the Courts to serve as Mediators in
cases, as well as serving as private mediators hired by the
parties and their attorneys.
This is an older page and is out of date. The Judges have all changed. An update will come in 2007.
If the Judge is familiar with the case, an attempt is made to
match the issues with the mediator. Otherwise, appointments are
made randomly from a list. Attorneys may submit an agreed order
appointing a mediator other than the one selected by the Court.
Mediation fees are allocated one-half to each party. If the
parties are unable to pay a private mediator, mediation is
ordered through DMS.
USING FAMILY COURT SERVICES FOR
MEDIATIONS AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Some helpful hints and suggestions:
1. Hand-deliver or mail the Order appointing Family Court
Services to conduct mediation or the social study directly to
Family Court Services, 7th Floor, George Allen Courts Building,
600 Commerce St., Dallas, Texas, 75202. The Court Clerks do no
routinely forward orders to Family Court Services.
2. An Order must be signed by a District Judge or Associate
Judge. A Masters or Associate Judge's Recommendation Sheet is not
sufficient. The Court won't sign the order until the required fees have been
paid.
3. For social studies, the fee is paid in the Child Support
Office on the 1st Floor of the George Allen Courts Building. The
social study cannot begin until the fee is paid. If the fee is
waived by the Court, bring that to the attention of Family Court
Services. Fee receipts are picked up every afternoon by Family
Court Services.
4. Complete all information requested on any forms - including
fax numbers.
5. For mediation, deliver the completed and signed Order to
Family Court Services no later than the Friday prior to the time
the client is scheduled to attend orientation. (Orientation is
held on Tuesdays). Schedule orientation when you deliver the
Order.
6. If your trial is scheduled more than 4 months after the social
study has been completed, a new court order is needed if an
update is requested by either party. A $100.00 fee may be
assessed for the update.
7. Notify the Family Court Services counselor of the trial date
in adequate time for them to schedule for the court appearance.
Issue a subpoena.
There is a 15-page booklet entitled "Attorney's Guide to
Family Court Services" available at Family Court Services
that will help answer most of your questions.
© 1997, Law Offices of Raggio & Raggio, P.L.L.C.
Go To How a Texas Divorce Case Works
06/01/07 http://www.raggiolaw.com/courtmed.htm