Family Law Mediation & Collaborative Law
Divorce Lawyers Serving Clients In Houston & Galveston, Texas
(713) 909-7323
Divorce is never easy, but it doesn’t have to be contentious. There are divorce alternatives for spouses that wish to avoid a divorce trial such as mediation and collaborative law.
How It Works:
- In Divorce Mediation: Mediation is confidential and works by allowing both parties (you and your spouse) to sit with your attorneys and a professional, neutral third-party, known as the mediator. The mediator's job is to lead a negotiation process and craft a settlement that both parties will voluntarily agree. Mediation is often mandatory in a contested Texas divorce, or divorce involving children. IF you and your spouse are able to settle your case in mediation, then that mediation settlement agreement is binding and irrevocable. IF spouses can’t reach an agreement through mediation or any informal negotiation, then the next step in the divorce process is likely preparing for trial. If a trial does occur, nothing discussed during the mediation can be brought up at trial and the mediator cannot be brought in to testify on either side’s behalf.
- In a Collaborative Law Divorce: Spouses each hire a collaborative law attorney from different law firms. Each party in the Collaborative Law process signs an agreement which specifies no one may go to court - and spouses will disclose and share in good faith all information pertaining to the divorce, including property, assets and children. If spouses later decide they can’t resolve all matters of their divorce after starting the collaborative process, then both attorneys must withdraw and cannot represent the spouses any further. Each spouse will need to retain a new lawyer for their now contested divorce.
With decades of combined experience handling divorce and child custody cases, our legal team at Hendershot Cowart, P.C. has the insight and resources to protect your rights and interests during all matters of the divorce process. We understand what you are going through, and we are here to offer the support, guidance, and compassionate legal representation you deserve. To schedule a consultation with an experienced divorce attorney, simply call (713) 909-7323 - or complete an online form.
Benefits to Mediation and the Collaborative Law Process
- It avoids a trial (if a just and right settlement is reached)
- It’s financially conscious
- It fits to your schedule
- It’s completely confidential
- Opportunities to develop creative alternatives to property division and custody matters
- Conflict resolution outside a courtroom battle to create a "win-win" situation for all.
Settling family matters out of court helps keep key decisions within your family, rather than putting them before a judge. For mediation and the collaborative law process to successfully work, you and your spouse should prepare to negotiate in good faith. Meaning all information is accurate and truthful to each spouses’ knowledge. If a settlement is offered and something just doesn't feel right about it, trust your gut instinct. There's no reason to feel pressure and give up the “farm” just to be done – or settle for an outcome that you feel is not “just and right”.
At Hendershot Cowart, P.C., our divorce attorneys vigorously support your desire to settle your case, whether it be through mediation, collaborative law or an uncontested divorce, however, we will not hesitate to uphold your interests in the courtroom should litigation become necessary.
Our law firm has been recognized by both our clients and peers for the following:
- Established trial lawyers
- Dynamic negotiators
- Compassionate one-on-one representation
If you and your family are currently going through a difficult family law matter, or you are considering filing for divorce, please contact the law office of Hendershot Cowart, P.C. We have been representing and protecting the rights of families throughout Houston and Galveston for more than 30+ years.
If you have questions about your divorce case and how our Houston family lawyers can help you, call (713) 909-7323 for an initial consultation or contact us online 24/7.
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We Shoulder the Legal Burden.™And let you get back to business.
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We Want to Be Your Law Firm for Life.We take a vested interest in our clients' success – from start to finish.
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We Believe in Prompt, Personal Attention.As a boutique law firm, we unite real experience with personal attention.
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We Serve Clients Throughout Texas and the Nation.We handle matters from the Red River to the Rio Grande and beyond.
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In Business Since 1987.Let us put the full force of our 100+ years of combined experience to work for you.
What Our Clients Say
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“These folks represented me well and Ray was awesome. Ray was extremely easy to communicate with and was easy to get ahold of Ray also made himself available when I had questions or needed clarification on things. 10/10 would recommend.”
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“Philip has been nothing short of amazing! He genuinely cares about his clients and is very accessible, a quality that is rare to find in other lawyers. He is meticulous and efficient, which are great qualities to have. I cannot recommend him enough.”
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“Ian McNeill is a fantastic lawyer and a great person. I had the pleasure of working with him closely on a high level PSM OSHA project, and our company's top leadership group was very impressed with the outcome of the project.”
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“Great communication and extremely knowledgeable team.”
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“The Hendershot Cowart Law Firm has been and will continue to be part of our legal team. They provide the utmost professional services towards our South Texas medical practice. Trey Hendershot and Keith Lefkowitz are very receptive, skilled and amazing...”
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“My business partner and I had a very complex time sensitive situation with a breach of a contract on a real-estate transaction. We hired Ky Jurgensen to help with the case and he took action immediately, same day we called he went to work.”
