School Choice Showdown: How to Allocate Educational Rights in Mediation Under H.B. 2495
If you’ve mediated or tried a custody case in the last few years, you already know that school-choice disputes have turned into one of the biggest sticking points in Texas family law. Parents aren’t just arguing about curriculum anymore. They’re battling over public vs. private, charters, magnets, out-of-district transfers, and everything in between. And because […]
Dig Deep: The Foundation for Excellence in Law, Judging, and Mediation
Building On Solid Ground I was reading The Tony Evans Bible Commentary on 2 Thessalonians by Dr. Tony Evans of the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas. As I read, I was struck by the nexus between having a proper Christian foundation and having a successful mediation. Heck, while we are at it, having […]
Spousal Maintenance Gets Real: Why Mehta Is Your New Go-To Case
The Texas Supreme Court’s June 2025 decision in Mehta v. Mehta (No. 23-0507) is a game-changer for family lawyers and mediators. It grounds spousal maintenance in real-world family realities, not just in spreadsheets. If you’re navigating support for a stay-at-home caregiver or challenging maintenance claims, this case is your new toolkit essential. The Court didn’t rewrite Texas Family […]
Mediation in the Nude: Stripping Down Barriers to Resolution**
Sometimes good, albeit unconventional, ideas emerge from the most unexpected places. Take, for example, a recent suggestion from a highly successful businessman I know – someone well-acquainted with litigation and certainly no stranger to mediation. Over cocktails one evening, completely out of the blue, he floated a rather unorthodox concept for family law mediations: “Mediation in […]
The Stages of a Texas Divorce or Custody Case
While each divorce or custody case is unique, most cases flow from start to finish according to six distinct “Stages.” Of course, not all cases fit perfectly into each stage. It’s not uncommon for the stages to overlap and run concurrently with others. But in general, the following should provide a good understanding of the […]
The New Old Discovery Rules
Introduction Just when you finally wrapped your head around the “New Rules,” along come the “New Old Discovery Rules.” Applicable to family law cases filed on or after September 1, 2023, the New Old Rules remove “required” disclosures and production of documents established by the New Rules, reinstating old rule “requests” for disclosure. Undoubtedly, those who loathe required disclosures will cheer, […]
I Think My Spouse is Hiding Money. What Can I Do?
Things haven’t been going well. For months, you’ve suspected that your spouse is planning to divorce you. In today’s mail, there’s a statement from a bank you don’t recognize. Your spouse has become secretive with their phone and computer. Lately, your spouse has been fascinated with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. There are unexplained withdrawals […]
What Will Happen to My Children?
Parents going through a divorce or custody dispute often ask, “What will happen to my children”? Of course, we all want what’s best for our children, and hopefully, all strive to minimize the impact a divorce or custody dispute will have on the kids. But often, parents don’t see eye to eye regarding what’s best for the […]
Former Family Law Judges Open Mediation & Arbitration Firm
On January 1, 2023, Armatys Millard, PLLC, will open the doors of a new law firm in Richmond, Texas, specializing in Mediation and Arbitration of family law disputes. The firm consists of Walter Armatys and John Millard, two seasoned family law attorneys who served as State District Family Court Judges in Fort Bend County, Texas, […]
It’s Official! Announcing Armatys Millard!
It’s Official! Announcing MediationJudges.com! Former Family District Court Judges Walter Armatys and John Millard are pleased to announce the opening of Armatys Millard, PLLC, specializing in Mediation and Arbitration of Family Law disputes. 200 S. 10th Street, Richmond, Texas 77469 (281) 313-6800