DJS Mediation Services

Improving Relationships by Managing and Preventing Conflict

Firm Overview

Divorce Mediation Settlements, Relationship Preservation & Coaching, Parenting Plans; Post-Divorce Support for Extended & Blended Family Issues, Modifications.
Achieve a comprehensive, dignified, private, and cost-effective settlement.

Main Office

Watter's Creek
825 Market Street, Suite 250
Allen TX 75013

Phone

214-550-0371

Fax

214-550-0888

Websites

Fees

Free Initial Consultation?

YES, up to ONE (1) hour

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

YES

Hourly Rates

available upon request

Office Information

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Office Manager

varies by location

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Languages Spoken

English

Other Offices

6136 Frisco Square Blvd, Suite 400
Frisco, TX 75034
101 E Park Blvd, Suite 600
Plano, TX 75074

5605 N MacArthur Blvd, 10th floor
Irving, TX 75038
Fort Worth
5601 Bridge Street, Suite 300
HQ / Regus
Fort Worth, TX 76112

Divorce Mediation

We believe in Peace. DJS believes that most intense conflicts, if sincerely overcome, leave behind a sense of security & calm that can heal your family. Dedicated to providing preventative tools for managing conflict & preserving relationships.

PLEASE NOTE: Mediation is not suitable for cases wherein family violence charges are pending. Please do not solicit DJS if this pertains to your case; we respectfully decline to represent either party in these matters.

DJS Mediation Services provides assistance to both families and businesses for a wide range of issues, including family mediation, before, during, and after divorce, child advocacy, on-site business mediation and staff training are also available.

We are fully committed to mediating disputes in a collaborative manner, creating true options to help those in crisis avoid the lengthy delays and costs associated with traditional litigation.
Our central location provides convenient access to world-class facilities in the North Central Texas area. In addition to our main office in Collin County, Texas, we have offices located throughout the state of Texas.

Our services are suitable for individuals or families facing any combination of the following issues:
*Divorce & all related concerns
*Extended Family, In-Laws and Estrangement
*Remarriage, Step-family issues and ex-spouses
*Marital Separation &/or Reconciliation
*Conflicts within the Courts, usually custody related, (social studies may be court-ordered or voluntary)
*Post-Divorce conflicts, often child-centered
*Disputes with schools, usually between parents and staff *Also communication barriers, staff conflicts.

Additionally, we are leaders in the field of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) and have successfully mediated cases where the parties are able to remain distributed in different cities, states and/or continents. If the distance between two parties has delayed or hindered resolving any issue, please consider using our services to finalize your agreement.

Whether during the divorce process, via mediation, coaching and written mediated settlements agreements, or, post-divorce via parenting coordination, modifications, or additional mediated agreements, DJS devotion to families provides an alternative to the contentious pattern so often observed during these trying times.

How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?

The dedication of DJS to families and children led to a career helping families in crisis. Whether during the divorce process, via coaching and mediated settlements agreements, or, post-divorce via modifications, additional mediated agreements, the singular devotion to families provides an alternative to the contentious pattern so often observed during these trying times.

As a vision for helping families grew, so did an affiliation with the Southern Methodist University Center for Dispute Resolution.
Recognizing the emerging trends in family law fueled interest in the opportunity to serve families during all phases of the divorce process. Experience was gained thru another affiliation with a national mediation service which provided referrals to a litany of cases on both the east & west coasts. By observing the wider range of possibilities exercised in other divorces nation-wide, it became self-evident that Texas needed an expansion of options.

This includes working with couples considering divorce, assisting couples with collaborative divorce, and providing guidance and preventative tools for reducing conflict after the divorce is finalized.
DJS also works as a parenting coordinator for families seeking a co-parenting plan and a neutral third party to manage the day to day interactions of post-divorce families, as well as negotiating changes to child support agreements and child visitation schedules.

What experience or education distinguishes your lawyers from others

Experience
2005- Present DJS Mediation Services, Allen, TX â Senior Mediator & Owner Resolved Family & Business disputes through negotiation and written agreements; Difficulties Schools & families and/or staff members at the campus and district level; issues ranging from discipline to special education.

2006-Present Collin College, Plano, TX - Primary Instructor for Business Mediation Certificate Series; Developed curriculum for series. C.E.U. Workshops for Mental Health Providers for Continuing Education. Business Lectures & Corporate training for Business Solutions Group.

2008-2009 Divorce Mediation Settlement House, Miami, FL â Family Mediator Handled family court cases for national mediation firm. Filed Mediated Settlements in FL, NY, TX, GA, MD, MA, IL, CA, including the terms of divorces, visitation, child support modifications, and parenting dilemmas.

2005-2007 Southern Methodist University, Plano, TX - Research Assistant to M. Collatrella, Assistant Director of DR program. Collaborated on a mediation textbook revision, published 2007. Intern & current Volunteer for SMU Center for Dispute Resolution, involving Collin County family court cases.

2003- 2006 Allen Independent School District, Allen, TX - Work with families &/or students (ages 6-19) both in classroom and individually, including students who received an alternative education placement

2005 Dallas Challenge, Dallas, TX - Program Facilitator, âPathways to Successâ Behavior modification for non-violent, court-referred adolescent girls & their parents

1989-1991 Brazos County Mental Health, Bryan-College Station, TX- Social Worker, Home visits and evaluative study reports for MHMR clients.

Education & Training
â¢ 2007- Master of Arts, Dispute Resolution - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
â¢ 1991- B.S., Psychology & Marketing - Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
â¢ General (80 hours) & Family (80 hours) Mediation Certificates, SMU
â¢ SMU Center for Mediation & Conflict Resolution (Intern & ongoing volunteer) SMU Plano
â¢ Parenting Coordination Training (24 hours) with Domestic Violence (8 hours), HGI: L. Yingling, Ph.D.
â¢ PC/Intensive Interventions (High Conflict Shared Parenting), (12 hours), M. Sullivan, Ph.D.
â¢ High Conflict Institute (High Conflict Personalities), (6 hours), B. Eddy
â¢ Family Violence Training (12 hours), Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas
â¢ Dispute Mediation Service, Inc. (Practicum, ongoing volunteer), (over 30 hours), Dallas County
â¢ Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training (8 hours), P Wright, Esq.
â¢ Children caught in the Middle, Parenting Partnerships (16 hours) D Cashen
â¢ Communication & Conflict Management, various CEU trainings, (over 30 hours)

What distinguishes your law firm from others?

We do not accept a retainer for services. We believe in open access; we know will establish the highest degree of trust with both parties form the beginning if all parties can speak freely to one another. All communication is sent thru the main office via email to insure protection of both parties and integrity. We truly get the best effort and participation from everyone with this approach.

Our divorce mediation service is based on a flat rate per case, with the option of additional time for an added flat fee. Emails, phone consultation and write-up times are not billed per hour. We respect and believe in the authority of the Court while limiting the scope of decisions which our clients submit for legal questioning. In so doing, they are able to prevent unnecessary costs from draining an already compromised budget and hopefully preserve as many options as possible for both parties.
In the event that either or both parties opt for individual representation, said counsel is asked to sign a waiver promising to recuse their firm from the case should the parties abandon mediation and choose to pursue litigation. Many of our clients are pro se, meaning they enter the mediation process without additional attorneys present.

Deborah J Schmidt

Deborah's dedication to families and children led her to seek a career helping families in crisis. Whether during the divorce process, via coaching and mediated settlements agreements, or post-divorce through modifications or additional mediated agreements, Deborah's devotion to families provides an alternative to the contentious pattern so often observed during these trying times. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A & M University, with an emphasis in behavior disorders and early childhood development. As her vision for helping families grew, she sought to further her education by enrolling in the Southern Methodist University Center for Dispute Resolution, where she received a Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution. Recognizing the emerging trends in family law fueled her interest in the opportunity to serve families during all phases of the divorce process. This includes working with couples considering divorce, mediated settlements, assisting couples within the collaborative divorce process, and providing guidance and preventative tools for reducing conflict after the divorce is finalized.

Deborah is a qualified to perform social study evaluations for contested custody issues as well as home studies for adoptions.

She also works as a parenting coordinator for families seeking improved adherance to their co-parenting plan and/or a neutral third party to manage the day-to-day interactions of their post-divorce families. In addition to case management, a parenting coordinator may assist with negotiating details of visitation/ schedule changes.

Education

Southern Methodist University
Masters , 2007
Dallas, TX

1. Research Assistant to M. Collatrella, Assistant Director of DR program (2006- 2007). Collaborated on a mediation textbook revision. 2. Intern for SMU Center for Dispute Resolution (2005- 2006). Handled family court cases. Responsible for writing mediated settlements including the terms of divorces, visitation, child support modifications, and parenting dilemmas; received academic credit.
Texas A&M University
BS , 1991
College Station, TX

1. Studied with emphasis on child development and behavioral disorders 2. Intern for Children of Alcoholism study through TAMU under Professor Cavell 3. Practicum through the Mental Health / Mental Retardation of Brazos County, TX working for patients dealing with schizophrenia, mood disorders, and substance abuse. 4. Minor in Marketing

Articles Written

Separation Anxiety Upon Deciding to Divorce

Created On: 11/08/2011

Immediately after one party leaves the home, couples often relate that they experience a great deal of stress. While the anger that fueled the fighting or silent treatment may still be present, the protagonist is no longer physically present in the quiet spaces of the day.