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Mediation

Margo Ahern Fox is a trained mediator and a board-certified attorney by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law. Margo has been mediating cases since 2000 and has extensive mediation experience involving complex family law and civil litigation cases such as business disputes. Her wide range of knowledge in these areas of law, combined with her ability to see the big picture and form creative solutions quickly, provides valuable guidance to parties as they seek to reach a resolution.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is utilized in all aspects of litigation in order to minimize disputes and avoid the necessity of a trial. In fact, in many courts, the parties must mediate in good faith before a court will hear a case at a final trial or empanel a jury.

A mediator is a neutral third party who acknowledges your emotional and practical concerns, while helping to negotiate an agreement between you and the other party concerning your legal matter. Mediators do not make decisions for the parties or represent either party, but rather assist the parties in reaching an agreed solution. It is important to choose an experienced and trained mediator to give you the best possible chance of reaching a resolution with the other party.

How is mediation different from arbitration?

Mediation and arbitration are two ways that parties can try to minimize disputes outside of the courtroom; however, an arbitration is binding whereas mediation is not. During an arbitration, an arbitrator’s role is more like that of a judge. The arbitrator will examine the facts and evidence of both parties and essentially render a judgment, whereas a mediator does not make the final decision, but instead will look at the interest of both parties and help both parties to reach a resolution on their own based on those interests. Parties in mediation are in control of the outcome and can agree to settle or not. Upon reaching a settlement through mediation, especially in family law cases, the language in a mediated settlement agreement will state that the agreement made between the parties is irrevocable. The terms stated in the mediated settlement agreement are then drafted in the form of an order (i.e., Final Decree of Divorce, Order in Suit to Modify Parent-Child Relationship, etc.). All parties and attorneys that signed the Mediated Settlement Agreement will review and sign the agreed order which will then be submitted to the Court for the Court’s signature. Once the Court signs the order, the order is final and, in the case of a divorce, typically, the day the Court signs the Agreed Decree of Divorce is the day that the parties are divorced.

SCHEDULING MEDIATION

Margo Ahern Fox is currently accepting cases for full day or half day mediation for parties seeking resolution in family law or civil litigation cases.

If you would like to request Ms. Fox to mediate your case, please contact our office at (512) 238-9206 for available mediation dates and rates. Separate conference rooms for the parties, along with snacks and beverages are provided as part of our mediation services. For full day mediations, lunch is also provided. If an agreement is reached, Ms. Fox will draft a Mediated Settlement Agreement for the parties to review and sign.