Deborah J. Schmidt DJS Mediation Services Email Us   Watter's Creek 825 Market Street, Building M, Suite 250 Allen, Texas 75013 Phone: 214-550-0371 Fax: 214-550-0888 5601 Bridge Street, Suite 300 Fort Worth, Texas 76112 Phone: 214-550-0371 Las Colinas MacArthur 5605 North MacArthur Boulevard, 10th and 11th Floors Irving, Texas 75038 Phone: 214-550-0371

Biography

Deborah Schmidt - Principal & Senior Mediator

Deborah's dedication to families and children led her to seek a career helping families in crisis. Whether during the divorce process, via coaching and mediated settlements agreements, or post-divorce through modifications or additional mediated agreements, Deborah's devotion to families provides an alternative to the contentious pattern so often observed during these trying times. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A & M University, with an emphasis in behavior disorders and early childhood development. As her vision for helping families grew, she sought to further her education by enrolling in the Southern Methodist University Center for Dispute Resolution, where she received a Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution. Recognizing the emerging trends in family law fueled her interest in the opportunity to serve families during all phases of the divorce process. This includes working with couples considering divorce, assisting couples with collaborative divorce, and providing guidance and preventative tools for reducing conflict after the divorce is finalized. She also works as a parenting coordinator for families seeking a co-parenting plan and a neutral third party to manage the day-to-day interactions of post-divorce families, as well as negotiating changes to child support agreements and child visitation schedules.

However, her interest, expertise, and experience in conflict management extend outside the household, and include providing staff trainings for Fortune 500 companies, churches, and schools. She also provides general mediation services for individuals and business looking to avoid the delay and expenses associated with traditional litigation.

Education & Accreditations

• Master of Arts, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX (2007) 
• Bachelors of Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (1991)
• Certificate in General Mediation, SMU
• Family Mediation, SMU
• Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution, SMU
• Parenting Coordination Training, HGI
• High Conflict Personalities, B. Eddy
• Family Violence, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas

Seminars, Classes & Public Speaking Engagements

• Business Mediation Certificate Series (Collin County Community College, Plano, TX)
• Avoid Avoidance
• Communication Tips
• Diversity in the Workplace
• Dealing with Difficult People

Professional Associations

• Collaborative Law Institute of Texas
• Association of Family & Conciliation Courts
• Southwest Conflict Resolution Network
• Rotary International

Collaborative Divorce

When couples consider a divorce or separation, many assume the next step is to hire an attorney and prepare for long, drawn out court proceedings.

Consider hiring a mediator first.

Why is a mediated divorce better than a litigated divorce? It is simple:

• The opportunity to fully discuss any issue before committing to it.
• You can try out different agreements before the judge's final ruling.
• You learn to communicate better.
• You can take time between appointments to think about alternatives.
• You can change solutions quickly and easily before finalizing the agreement.

For more information regarding collaborative divorce, please visit our Divorce & Separation Mediation Frequently Asked Questions Page.

DJS Mediation Services provides comprehensive solutions for all types of divorce situations. However, we generalize these into two main categories:

Uncontested Divorce Mediation
     The flat fee for divorce mediation services is $1,950.00, which is nonrefundable. This rate is based on an estimate of 3 half-day sessions, which are $600.00 each, and carry an administrative fee of $50.00 per meeting. These fees will also cover interim email and phone consultation, and document preparation for each meeting. We anticipate that the third meeting will culminate with signing the Mediated Settlement Agreement.

     This process is designed to be able to resolve and formalize matters concerning your divorce. In order for this solution to succeed, both clients are responsible for outlining the terms together and producing any documentation requested by the mediator which may be necessary to produce the written Mediated Settlement Agreement.

Contested Divorce Mediation
     Clients who are not able to resolve their issues without additional in-person mediation sessions will pay the mediator an additional $600.00 per meeting, as well as the $50.00 administrative fee.

     In order for this solution to succeed, both clients are responsible for outlining the terms together and producing any documentation requested by the mediator which may be necessary to produce the written Mediated Settlement Agreement. Additional fees for travel may apply.

A $975 nonrefundable deposit is required before divorce mediation services may begin, which may be applied to any of the aforementioned fees and is deemed fully earned by DJS Mediation Services upon payment by clients.

Parenting Coordination in Texas

An impartial third party [may be appointed by the court] to assist parents in resolving issues relating to parenting and other family issues arising from an order in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.

[As defined by Texas Family Code 153.601(3)]

DJS Mediation parenting coordination facilitates the parents in:

• Identifying disputed issues
• Reducing misunderstandings
• Clarifying priorities
• Exploring possibilities for problem solving
• Developing methods of collaboration in parenting
• Developing a parenting plan
• Complying with the court's orders

Parenting coordination services offered by our firm focus on reducing parental conflict in order to enhance the child's emotional functioning and facilitate shared parenting. While using several skills of the mental health profession in assisting families, this service is not psychotherapy or counseling.

Our firm is also qualified to write Memorandums of Understanding for the purpose of clarification or Mediated Settlement Agreements for modifications to the original divorce decree, in the event the parties reach a mutual agreement. Any fully executed settlement agreement can be admitted to any court proceeding without objection as evidence of such settlement. If settlement is reached, the agreement shall be reduced to writing and, when signed, shall be binding upon all parties to the agreement.

None of these services constitute legal counsel. Each party retains his or her right to counsel at all times and is encouraged to seek legal advice before signing any mediated settlements.

After the free 1-hour initial consultation, the mediator's fees are $150.00 per hour, divided evenly at $75 per hour per each party. A four hour minimum of $600.00 per case is due in advance of the first scheduled meeting date.

Please email us or visit our website for additional information.

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