Mediation (Probate & Real Estate)

Ruelas Law Firm, PLLC has incorporated Innovative Dispute Resolution

“Mending fences one conflict at time.”

“Stop the fighting and work toward a solution, it’s a WIN – WIN!”

What Is Innovative Dispute Resolution (IDR)?

IDR is a concept of alternative dispute resolution primarily focusing in the area of mediation. IDR involves implementing new and creative ideas to assist parties resolve their disputes, one conflict at a time. We strive to combine good, old-fashioned values with new and innovative ideas to resolve conflicts that meet the needs of all parties involved.

We promote the idea of thinking “outside” of the box. Conflicts are not resolved successfully through “cookie cutter” or “one-size-fits-all” solutions. In reality, one size does not fit all. You, your life, your family, your property and your business, matters! The employment of IDR encourages parties to think “outside the box” to come up with unique and creative resolutions to fit individuals and/or businesses and their unique conflicts. No conflict is too simple or too complex and all conflicts can benefit from IDR.

Times and the ways of the world are constantly changing. Dispute resolution must keep up with those changes to continue to be effective for long term solutions. We are focused on keeping up with life’s changes and encouraging creative thinking to resolve any conflict you face.

Our main office is located in Weatherford, Texas and provides mediation services throughout the North Texas areas. We conduct mediations at our office, via video conference, or through a hybrid in-person and video conference. We have the solution to help you achieve a successful resolution.

What Types Of Disputes Do We Mediate?

Our main focus is probate and real estate disputes. However, we have experience in areas of family and civil law and work with many small businesses. We work with parties who are and who are not represented by their own attorney.

Some of the specific types of disputes we handle are:

Non-Legal Mediation

Disagreements with neighbors, friends, relatives, workplace conflicts.

Probate Mediations

Will disputes, estate administration disputes, guardianship conflicts

Real Estate Mediation

Breach of contract, Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, buy-sell agreements, boundary disputes, easements, covenants and restrictions

Insurance Claims Mediation

Residential and commercial real property insurance claims

What Is Mediation?

Mediation is an informal, private process in which an impartial person, a mediator, encourages and facilitates communications between parties to a conflict with a goal to promote resolution, settlement, and/or understanding. At the Ruelas Law Firm, mediations are conducted either in person, via video conference, or using a hybrid in person and video conference technology. Whether in person or via video conference, depending on the dynamics of the parties, mediations can be conducted all together in the same room or, if necessary, each party can have its own separate space during the mediation and the mediator can visit with each side separately.

Mediators do not render a decision regarding the parties’ dispute but works to explore issues and generate options which lead to the resolution of the dispute that works for all parties involved.

More Information:

• The Most Common Real Estate Mediation Disputes In Texas
• Will Both Parties Have To Agree On Their Texas Probate Mediator?

What Are The Benefits Of Mediation?

• Cost Effective – Mediation is a faster, more economical way to resolve conflicts in private rather than the high cost of litigation.
• More Control Of Outcome – Parties have more control over their resolution. Mediations allow parties to have the opportunity to resolve their conflicts with resolutions that fit their individual needs rather than being forced into a resolution decided by a Judge.
• Move Forward – Mediation is a way to focus on putting the past to rest so you can focus on the future.
• Preventative – Mediation is way to resolve the conflict before resorting to filing a lawsuit or engaging in costly and time-consuming litigation.

• Time Efficient – Mediation reduces time away from work, home, and your family.
• Stress Relief – Mediation reduces the stress of costly litigation that takes a toll both financially and emotionally.
• Enforceable – Mediation is binding on all parties and is fully enforceable in a court of law.

When Is Mediation Appropriate?

Mediation can benefit parties at almost any stage of a conflict.

Before – Mediation can be done as a means to prevent a lawsuit that can, and all too often, is extremely time consuming and very costly to all parties involved.

During – Mediation can be done at any stage of a lawsuit either voluntarily or by court order. And it can be used to determine temporary orders, narrow the issues, or reach a settlement before trial.

After – Sometimes it is necessary to mediate after a lawsuit is over to cover matters that were not dealt with during the suit, to cover disputes over language ambiguity in a final court order, or when new matters arise that need to be settled to avoid the need for a modification of a court order.

Why Does Mediation Work?

Even though mediation can be court ordered, it is a voluntary process with the goal of seeking a resolution. Therefore, parties who play an active role in reaching their own resolution are far more likely to abide by that resolution than they would be if the resolution were decided by someone else, such as a Judge or Arbitrator.

Who Can Take Part In Mediation?

Parties can come on their own to mediation or can be referred by court order to attend mediation. Generally, only the parties themselves and their attorneys participate in a mediation with the mediator. However, other participants may be allowed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the circumstances.

Is It Necessary For Me To Have An Attorney?

No. Parties are not required to have an attorney to mediate a dispute. However, if a party wishes to seek legal advice, having their own attorney is oftentimes helpful for that purpose. A mediator’s purpose is not to give legal advice but to encourage and facilitate a resolution between parties.

How Should I Prepare For Mediation?

The key is to be prepared! The best practice is for each party to the mediation to provide information to the mediator prior to the mediation so the mediator can be prepared for the day of mediation. We have a basic intake form for you fill out in advance and return to the office via email or drop it off in person. Please provide any and all information, written agreements, contracts, surveys, documents, petitions, pleadings, motions and records that are relevant to the dispute. All information reviewed before or during mediation is kept strictly confidential and will be returned to the parties after mediation.

What Should I Bring With Me To Mediation?

In addition to the information you provide prior to mediation, you should bring all relevant documentation to your issue with you to mediation as well. All parties are encouraged to bring a list of their respective goals as well as what they will or will not agree to. Having this list can help the mediator better understand the desired outcomes for each party so she can begin to get to the heart of the issues quickly and help facilitate a resolution within the timeframe allotted.

Is My Information Kept Confidential?

Absolutely! Confidentiality is of the upmost importance. Our mediators will make every effort to keep matters completely confidential throughout the entire process, from the moment you enlist the mediator’s services to after mediation.

Flexible Scheduling

Mediations are held Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 5:30pm. We offer ½ day (4 hours), ¾ day (6 hours), and full day (8 hours) mediations. Morning mediations typically run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. whereas afternoon mediations typically run from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Three-quarter and full day mediations include a light lunch.

**Evening and weekend mediations are available upon request on a case-by-case basis and are subject to additional charges. Diligent efforts will be made to accommodate everyone’s schedule.

How Much Does Mediation Cost? 

• 1/2 day mediations (4 hours) $500.00 per side, regardless of whether it is in person, via video conference, or a hybrid of in person and video conference
• 3/4 day (6 hour) mediations $750.00 per side and, if in person, include a light lunch
• Full day mediations (8 Hours) $1,000.00 per side and, if in person, include a light lunch
• Over allotted time $125.00 per hour per side billed in hourly increments.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

There is a $250.00 No Show Fee unless cancelled at least 48 hours in advance. To avoid this fee, please make all cancelations or reschedule at least 48 hours in advance. Matters of mother nature, as determined by the mediator, will be given due consideration.

Forms Of Payment

All fees must be paid in advance. Fees may be paid by cash, money order, or cashier’s check. We also accept most major credit and debit cards paid through Law Pay, as well as business checks from attorneys. However, we do not accept personal checks for the payment of fees.