Many Southlake families picture a family law dispute as a long, public courtroom battle in front of a judge. They imagine stressful hearings, strict rules, and very little control over the outcome. For parents, the thought of a stranger deciding when they see their children or how their property is divided can be especially unsettling.
In Tarrant County, however, most divorces and custody disputes do not end with a dramatic trial. Many cases resolve through structured processes that still involve the court but shift how decisions are made, how private the process feels, and how much direct input you have. Understanding these family law dispute alternatives can help you protect your children, your finances, and your peace of mind.
Michelle Purvis Law has spent more than 20 years handling family law cases in Tarrant County courts, including Southlake, through both litigation and out-of-court resolutions. That experience matters because it shows which alternatives really work in this area and which sound good on paper but fall short in practice. The guide below explains how options like mediation and arbitration actually work, where they fit into a local case timeline, and how an attorney can help you choose the path that fits your family.
Contact our trusted family lawyer in Southlake at (817) 809-8199 to schedule a confidential consultation.
Why Court Is Not the Only Way to Resolve a Family Law Dispute
For most people, “going to court” means a full trial, witnesses on the stand, and a judge announcing a decision at the end. In Tarrant County family courts, that kind of trial does happen, but it is not the norm. Many divorce, custody, child support, and property division cases are resolved by agreement, often after structured negotiation or mediation. The judge still signs the final order, but the key decisions are reached in conference rooms and mediator offices rather than in a crowded courtroom.
These family law dispute alternatives do not remove the court from your case. Instead, they change how you reach the final terms that the court later approves. You still file a petition, still have deadlines, and still need enforceable orders at the end. The difference is that you and the other party have more room to craft solutions yourselves, with guidance from attorneys, neutrals, or both. For families who want to reduce conflict and maintain some control, that can be a significant advantage.
In Southlake and the rest of Tarrant County, judges commonly encourage or require mediation before they will set a final trial. This is not a formality. Courts see value in parents and spouses working out details like parenting schedules and property division outside the rigid schedule of hearings. When readers search for family law dispute alternatives, they are often already on a path that will involve one or more of these processes, whether they realize it or not.
Because Michelle Purvis Law has resolved cases both in settlement conferences and at trial over more than two decades, the firm understands how these pieces fit together. That perspective is important when deciding whether to lean into a mediation-driven strategy, consider arbitration for particular issues, or prepare for trial while still exploring settlement options.
How Mediation Works in Texas Family Law Cases
Mediation is the most common family law dispute alternative in Tarrant County. In a typical mediation, both parties and their attorneys meet with a neutral mediator who is trained to help people negotiate. The mediator does not decide who is right or wrong. Instead, the mediator listens to each side in private, carries offers and counteroffers back and forth, and helps the parties work through issues like parenting time, decision making for children, support, and division of property.
Most family law mediations in this area take place with each side in a separate room. The mediator moves between rooms, talking with you and your attorney about your concerns, your goals, and your options. This structure can lower tension because you are not debating directly with the other party. Conversations in mediation are generally confidential, which gives both sides room to discuss possible solutions without worrying that every comment will be repeated in open court later.
If the parties reach agreements during mediation, the mediator and attorneys usually draft a mediated settlement agreement, often called an MSA. In Texas family law, a properly signed MSA is typically treated as binding. The terms in the MSA form the framework for the final court order. The paperwork that follows can take some time, but the key decisions about custody, parenting schedules, and property are largely set by that agreement. The judge then reviews the proposed final order and, if it complies with Texas law and policy, signs it.
Many families are surprised by how structured mediation feels. It is not an informal chat. Preparation matters. Clients who work with Michelle Purvis Law before mediation spend time reviewing financial information, thinking through realistic parenting schedules, and identifying what they are and are not willing to trade. With more than 20 years in Tarrant County family law, Michelle Purvis understands how local mediators operate, what issues tend to stall, and how to keep negotiations moving toward a durable agreement.
When Mediation Fits and When It Does Not
Mediation works best when both parties are capable of participating in a negotiation, even if they strongly disagree. If each side is willing to share required information, such as income and asset details, listen to proposals, and consider compromise, mediation can often resolve difficult disputes. It is especially valuable when parents want to preserve a working co-parenting relationship and prefer to shape schedules and rules themselves rather than accept a one-size solution from the bench.
There are clear situations where mediation may not be appropriate without significant safeguards. A history of domestic violence, severe emotional or financial control, or credible concerns about child safety can make direct negotiation unsafe or unrealistic. In those circumstances, court orders, protective measures, and more direct court involvement may need to come first. A skilled attorney can also seek structures such as shuttle mediation or virtual sessions, but in some cases, it is more important to let the judge make firm decisions quickly.
An attorney who knows both settlement work and litigation can help you decide when to lean into mediation and when to step back. At Michelle Purvis Law, that conversation is a core part of early strategy work. The goal is not to force every client into mediation, but to use it when it offers a real opportunity for resolution without compromising safety or fairness.
Arbitration as a Private Alternative to a Court Trial
Arbitration is less common than mediation in family law cases, but it can be a useful option in certain Southlake disputes. In arbitration, you and the other party agree to present your case to a private decision maker called an arbitrator instead of having a judge decide at a public trial. The arbitrator hears evidence, listens to both sides, and issues a decision, much like a judge would.
In practice, arbitration can feel a lot like a trial held in a conference room. Attorneys present testimony and documents, witnesses can be called, and legal arguments are made. The difference is that you have more control over who serves as the decision maker, where the hearing takes place, and how scheduling works. Families dealing with complex property issues, such as a closely held business or significant investments, sometimes prefer arbitration because they can choose an arbitrator who is familiar with those financial questions.
Arbitration decisions can be binding. In family law, that usually means the arbitrator issues an award that is later submitted to the court. The court then generally incorporates that award into the final divorce decree or custody order, giving it similar legal force to a decision the judge made directly. Appeals from arbitration are often more limited than appeals from a traditional trial, which is a tradeoff to consider.
Costs in arbitration vary. Sometimes, arbitration can move more quickly than a court trial, which can help control overall attorney time and stress. In other cases, particularly where there are multiple hearing days or extensive expert testimony, arbitration can be similar in cost to litigation, and the parties are also responsible for the arbitrator’s fees. An attorney with deep litigation and negotiation experience, like Michelle Purvis, can help you weigh whether the privacy and scheduling control of arbitration justify those expenses in your particular case.
Collaborative Approaches & Settlement-Focused Negotiation
Another family law dispute alternative some Tarrant County families consider is collaborative divorce. In a collaborative process, both parties and their attorneys sign a written participation agreement. They commit to work toward settlement without taking the case to trial while the collaborative process is ongoing. Meetings typically involve both spouses and both attorneys, and may also include neutral professionals, such as financial advisors or child specialists, who help the parties evaluate options.
Collaborative approaches focus on transparency and problem-solving. The idea is to create a safe environment where both sides can share information and brainstorm solutions without the immediate threat of a courtroom battle. For some Southlake families, this can support better long-term co-parenting and a more respectful end to a marriage. It also allows more flexibility in crafting creative property and parenting arrangements that a busy court schedule might not permit.
Even when there is no formal collaborative agreement, many cases are resolved through structured negotiation. Attorneys may schedule settlement conferences, exchange detailed proposals, and hold joint or separate meetings to address sticking points. These efforts can happen before, during, or after mediation, and they often continue as court dates approach. In a typical Tarrant County case, it is common for attorneys to be engaged in settlement discussions at several points along the timeline.
There are real risks to consider with formal collaborative processes. A key feature is that if collaboration fails and the case must proceed to trial, both collaborative attorneys must withdraw. Each party then needs to hire new litigation counsel, which can add cost and delay. That is why it is important to discuss your comfort level, your spouse’s history of follow-through, and the complexity of your issues with a lawyer before signing a collaborative participation agreement.
Michelle Purvis Law emphasizes personalized planning and clear communication, which are essential in any settlement-focused approach. Whether a client is considering a formal collaborative process or more traditional negotiations, the firm’s role includes setting expectations, preparing clients for difficult conversations, and making sure agreements are detailed enough to avoid future disputes.
Comparing Mediation, Arbitration, and Court: Control, Cost, and Privacy
When you are deciding among family law dispute alternatives, it helps to focus on criteria that truly affect your daily life. Three of the most important are control over the outcome, impact on cost, and level of privacy. Each path, whether mediation, arbitration, or a court trial, handles these factors differently. Understanding those differences can clarify which options may match your priorities.
Control is often the first concern. In mediation and settlement-focused negotiation, you and the other party control whether there is a final agreement. The mediator can suggest ideas, but cannot force you to sign anything. In arbitration, you give that decision-making power to a private arbitrator, and in a court trial, you give it to the judge. That shift from self-determination to third-party decision-making can be either a relief or a risk, depending on your situation and your tolerance for uncertainty.
Cost is more complex. Mediation can lead to savings in some cases, especially if the parties are prepared and motivated to settle. However, multiple unsuccessful mediations or protracted negotiations can drive costs up. Arbitration may reduce the time waiting for a trial date on a busy court docket, but arbitrator fees and multi-day hearings can make it comparable to or more expensive than a trial. Court trials involve filing fees, preparation, and days in court, but sometimes a firm ruling ends disputes that would otherwise drag on through repeated partial settlements.
Privacy is another major difference. Mediation, collaborative meetings, and arbitration hearings are generally private. The discussions that occur there are not part of the public court record. In contrast, many court hearings are open to the public, and the core terms of your final orders become part of the court file. For families dealing with sensitive financial details, substance abuse issues, or delicate parenting topics, privacy can matter a great deal.
There is no single best choice. Many Tarrant County families use more than one approach, such as preparing for trial while actively negotiating, or arbitrating a complex property issue while mediating parenting time. With over two decades of family law practice, Michelle Purvis takes a strategic view of these options. She helps clients weigh how much control they want to keep, how much they can invest in the process, and how important privacy is, then recommends a path that reflects those realities.
How Tarrant County Courts Use Dispute Alternatives in Practice
Understanding how family law dispute alternatives fit into a real case timeline in Tarrant County can reduce a lot of uncertainty. A typical divorce or custody case in Southlake starts with filing a petition in a Tarrant County family court. The court may then set temporary orders to address immediate issues such as temporary custody, temporary support, and who stays in the marital home. Discovery, where each side exchanges financial and other information, often follows.
As the case moves forward, courts commonly encourage or order the parties to attempt mediation before a final trial date. This often happens after initial information has been exchanged but before everyone incurs the full cost of trial preparation. If mediation succeeds and the parties sign an MSA, attorneys draft final orders and submit them to the judge, who typically reviews them for compliance with Texas law and then signs them. In that scenario, the final hearing may be brief and non-adversarial.
Even when a case appears headed for trial, settlement discussions and mediation can continue. It is not unusual in Tarrant County for cases to settle shortly before a scheduled trial, sometimes at a second or even third mediation. Judges often view parents who can reach their own parenting agreements, even late in the process, as taking responsibility for their children’s needs. That perspective can influence how courts view future modification requests and co-parenting disputes.
Throughout this timeline, clients need someone tracking both the court’s requirements and the settlement opportunities available. Michelle Purvis Law has guided families through these paths for more than 20 years and understands how Southlake and Tarrant County courts usually sequence hearings, temporary orders, and mediation. That familiarity allows the firm to time negotiations strategically and avoid last-minute surprises that can derail settlement talks.
Choosing the Right Path for Your Family Law Dispute
Deciding which family law dispute alternative to pursue is rarely simple. You may be balancing safety concerns, the emotional needs of your children, the complexity of your finances, and your own capacity for negotiation. The right path for your neighbor’s divorce might not be right for yours. Instead of starting with a label like “mediation” or “collaborative divorce,” it helps to start with a clear picture of your priorities and risks.
Mediation or settlement-focused negotiation may fit you if both sides can sit, even in separate rooms, and talk through options in good faith. If you value privacy, want to preserve a working relationship with your co-parent, and are prepared to share accurate financial information, these options can often lead to tailored solutions that work better than a rigid court order. Arbitration may be worth discussing if you face complex property questions or want a private decision maker with time to focus on the details, as long as you understand the limits on appeal and potential cost.
On the other hand, if there is ongoing domestic violence, serious substance abuse without treatment, or a pattern of hiding assets, you may need more direct court involvement. In those situations, stronger court orders, protective measures, and strict enforcement tools often matter more than flexibility. Even then, discrete issues may still be resolved through negotiation once safety and basic stability are in place.
An experienced family law attorney can help you sort through these factors and adapt as your case develops. At Michelle Purvis Law, that process begins with listening. Michelle Purvis takes the time to understand your family’s dynamics, your concerns about cost and privacy, and your goals for your children and your future. From there, she explains realistic options, whether that means pursuing mediation, preparing for arbitration, negotiating directly with the other side, or moving toward a court hearing.
Talk With a Tarrant County Family Lawyer About Your Options
Family law dispute alternatives are not shortcuts. They are tools that, when used thoughtfully, can give you more control, more privacy, and often a clearer path to resolution than a full trial alone. The challenge is knowing which tools fit your situation and how to use them within the Tarrant County court system. You do not have to make those choices in the dark.
If you live in Southlake or elsewhere in Tarrant County and are facing a divorce, custody dispute, or other family law issue, a conversation with Michelle Purvis Law can help you understand your options and build a plan that protects your interests. With more than 20 years of experience in both courtroom litigation and out-of-court resolutions, Michelle Purvis can walk you through mediation, arbitration, and other alternatives, and help you decide what makes sense for your family.
Contact us at (817) 809-8199 to start your path toward a secure, confident, and positive resolution for everyone involved.