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 […]
New Rules for Reunification Therapy: Navigating HB 3783 In Texas Custody Cases
In the high-stakes world of Texas family law custody disputes, few tools have been as frequently used—and often abused—as court-ordered counseling, particularly in the context of “reunification therapy”. But with the passage of House Bill 3783, effective June 20, 2025, that landscape has shifted significantly. This new legislation amends Section 153.010 of the Texas Family Code, placing […]
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 […]
Drive-By Mediation: Just a Checkbox or a Genuine Resolution Tool?
Introduction When we talk about “drive-by” mediation, let’s be clear—we’re not talking about anything involving a moving vehicle or a crime scene. Instead, we’re referring to a streamlined, often misunderstood process of family law mediation that can be as quick as it sounds. But just because it’s fast, does that mean it’s effective? Can a […]
Mastering Mediation: Tips from a Former Family Law Judge
Greetings, family law warriors! As a former family law judge and now full-time mediator, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing a wide range of mediation approaches – some that hit the mark beautifully and others that, while well-intentioned, could use a bit of fine-tuning. Through these experiences, I’ve learned a few tricks of the trade […]
Keys to a Successful Mediation
During my time as mediator, I’ve learned that a successful mediation is not unlike a successful trial. So, that begs the question: What is essential before you can have a successful trial? Preparation!!! You would NEVER go into a contested trial if you were unprepared. And you should never go into a mediation unprepared. You […]
Can Mediation be Ordered During an Appeal?
Can parties be ordered to mediate during an appeal? Absolutely! In Texas, appellate courts have broad authority to order parties to engage in mediation even during an ongoing appeal. In this blog post, we’ll explore the authority granted to Texas appellate courts to order mediation during an appeal, the procedures and rules involved, and the […]
Save the Date! Open House & Grand Opening!
Exciting news! Save the Date! We’re thrilled to announce an Open House to celebrate the Grand Opening of our family law mediation practice, Armatys Millard, PLLC. We’d love for you to join us to celebrate this milestone. Come check out our new offices and join your colleagues for some fun outside of court. Bring your […]
NEW RULE: TRCP 21d – What You Need to Know About Electronic Court Appearances
Summary The Texas Supreme Court issued a new administrative order on January 27, 2023, finalizing rule changes regarding notice and appearances at court proceedings. Effective February 1, 2023, the order completes implementation of TRCP 21d, a new rule entitled “Appearances at Court Proceedings.” The order also amends TRCP 21(b) regarding service of notice, changing terminology […]