Amicable Divorce Resolutions
Regarding Your Divorce; You Have Choices
Located in Houston, Texas, Brenda D. Keen, P.C., represents individuals in family law and divorce matters. Brenda Keen, has served clients with distinction for more than 30 years.
She has received numerous awards and commendations for her contributions to family law attorneys throughout Texas. For additional information about us and the quality of our services, please visit our Benefits of Retaining the BKeen Firm page.
Divorce Choices / Options
If you and your spouse have already worked out the details of your divorce, then you have what is known as an uncontested divorce. Ms. Keen has represented numerous clients in uncontested divorces and would be happy to discuss representing you in your uncontested divorce. You can reach us by calling (713) 972-1320.
However, if you are contemplating or facing a divorce with unresolved details, one of the first decisions you will need to make is choosing the best forum to resolve your disputes. Your divorce choices may include:
- Kitchen-table resolution: This refers to trying to work out issues on your own, such as at the kitchen table, and then engaging an attorney to handle the formalities. (This is an uncontested divorce.)
- Mediation: This method of dispute resolution involves a mediator who is neutral and will work with both parties to reach an agreement. The mediator's role is to assist the parties in agreeing to a settlement. Mediation sometimes occurs early in the case, even before filing for divorce, and may be referred to as "early intervention mediation." In contested litigation of a divorce, our courts often require the parties to go to mediation before a contested hearing or final trial. If the parties reach an agreement in mediation, it is typically documented in a binding mediated-settlement agreement.
- Collaborative divorce: Similar to mediation, the goal of the collaborative divorce is for the parties to resolve all issues by agreement. As in most mediations, an attorney represents each side. Unlike mediation and unlike agreed resolutions of a litigated divorce, agreements in the collaborative process are the product of interest-based negotiation, not positional bargaining. And, unlike all other methods of dispute resolution, both parties and both attorneys sign an agreement that if the collaborative process fails and litigation is required, the attorneys representing both sides will withdraw from the case and not represent anyone in the ensuing litigation.
- Litigation: This should be viewed as a last resort not sought unless no other options are available. With litigation, a judge or jury will make the important decisions regarding your family and your property. Litigation is costly and time-consuming and tends to exacerbate the emotional issues involved in a divorce. Damage to the family relationship done in litigation usually cannot be undone. However, in some cases, usually when one party is unreasonable or irrational, litigation is necessary.
When cases involve children, the children are better off if the parents work together after the divorce; if a civil relationship between the parents is encouraged during the divorce, a good working relationship is more likely to follow. We recommend an alternative method of dispute resolution, such as mediation, negotiation or collaborative law, whenever possible. These forms of resolving conflict are generally more efficient, quicker, more cost-effective and less stressful than litigation, and we believe they increase the odds for a good relationship between parents after the divorce.
Regardless of your decision, or situation, we stand ready to zealously represent your interests to a successful divorce resolution.
To schedule a confidential consultation with Ms. Keen to discuss your Houston divorce choices and retaining her services for your divorce or other family law matter, please call us at (713) 972-1320 or email us directly from our website and we will contact you.
