Divorce Mediation

Divorce Mediation Lawyer in Plano

Attorney-Represented Mediation for Plano & Collin County Divorces

When a divorce can be resolved without a judge deciding every detail, mediation gives both parties a structured path to reach their own agreement. At Law Office of Brian Bagley, we represent clients throughout that process as their dedicated advocate. Brian Bagley handles every case personally, from the first consultation through the final signed agreement, so you work with the attorney who knows your situation.

We’ve worked with Plano and Collin County divorce clients since 2011 across the full range of case types: uncontested and contested divorces, high-asset matters, cases involving business ownership, military divorces, and LGBTQ+ divorces. Mediation is one of several resolution paths we use, alongside mediation, depending on what your case requires.

To find out whether divorce mediation is the right path for your situation, call (972) 843-7158 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation.

Why Litigation Experience Matters in the Mediation Room

Not every divorce mediation attorney walks into that room prepared to go to trial if negotiations break down. Brian Bagley does. That preparation matters because knowing how a Collin County judge would likely rule on a disputed asset or custody arrangement gives you a realistic baseline for evaluating any offer the other side makes.

Brian Bagley graduated cum laude from Texas A&M School of Law in 2011 and has represented divorce clients in Collin County courts ever since. That courtroom experience doesn’t disappear in mediation. It informs how we assess proposed terms, identify overreaching positions, and advise you on when to hold firm and when a compromise serves your long-term interests.

Divorce mediation can address property division, child custody and conservatorship, child support, and spousal support in one structured process. We bring that same approach to complex situations involving business interests, retirement accounts, and high-value assets, where an uninformed agreement can have lasting consequences.

Our approach is tailored to your specific goals, not a standard settlement template. Some clients need an aggressive advocate pressing for fair terms in a high-conflict situation. Others need steady, clear-headed guidance through a cooperative process. We adjust to what your case requires.

Schedule a Free Consultation

If you’re considering divorce mediation in Plano or anywhere in Collin County, we’re glad to walk through your situation and help you decide whether mediation fits your circumstances. Call (972) 843-7158 or contact Law Office of Brian Bagley online to get started.

How Divorce Mediation Works

In divorce mediation, a neutral third-party mediator facilitates communication between the two parties. The mediator doesn’t decide anything. Their role is to help the parties explore options, understand each other’s positions, and move toward an agreement. Each party’s attorney is present to advise their client, review proposed terms, and assess whether what’s on the table reflects what a court would likely award.

A typical session moves through several stages: opening statements, a joint discussion, and then private caucuses where each party meets separately with the mediator, who carries proposals back and forth. This continues until the parties reach agreement or conclude they’ve reached an impasse.

If the session produces an agreement, the terms are documented in a Mediated Settlement Agreement (MSA). If mediation ends without a full resolution, the case continues toward a court hearing or trial. A partial agreement can still narrow the issues a judge needs to decide.

What Divorce Mediation Can Resolve

Mediation is flexible enough to address most substantive issues in a Texas divorce in a single structured session or series of sessions.

Property division: Texas is a community property state, meaning most assets and debts acquired during marriage are subject to division. Mediation lets both parties negotiate terms that fit their actual financial situation rather than leaving that decision to a judge.
Child custody and conservatorship: Parents can build a parenting plan that reflects their family’s real schedule and the children’s needs, rather than accepting a standard possession order.
Child support: While Texas guidelines set a starting point, mediation can address deviations and additional arrangements when circumstances call for it.
Spousal support: The amount, duration, and conditions of spousal maintenance can be negotiated rather than litigated.

Mediation is generally not appropriate where there is a history of family violence. Under Texas Family Code Section 6.602(d), a party can file a written objection to a mediation referral on that basis.

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Divorce Mediation in Collin County Courts

Collin County District Courts require mediation in all contested family law cases before a trial date is set. For most Plano divorce clients, mediation isn’t optional. It’s a required step. The Collin County Alternative Dispute Resolution Program (CCAP) administers court-referred family law mediations, with fees for family cases based on net assets.

Brian Bagley has represented divorce clients in Collin County since 2011 and understands the local procedures that govern how contested cases move through the court system. Whether your mediation arises from a court order or the parties choose it voluntarily, we represent you through the process the same way.

Because trial dates in Collin County contested divorces can be months out, mediation gives parties an opportunity to resolve their case on their own terms before that wait. Going into that session with an attorney who is also prepared to litigate can change the dynamic. The other side knows you aren’t negotiating out of pressure to avoid court.

The Mediated Settlement Agreement and What Comes Next

When the parties reach agreement in mediation, those terms are written into a Mediated Settlement Agreement. Under Texas Family Code Section 6.602, an MSA is binding and irrevocable once it contains the required non-revocation language and is signed by each party and their attorney. Neither party can back out after signing, which is why having an attorney review the terms carefully before you sign matters.

After the MSA is signed, the attorneys prepare a final divorce decree incorporating the agreed terms. That decree is then submitted to the judge for approval.

If mediation ends without a complete agreement, the remaining issues move toward a court hearing or trial. A partial agreement can still reduce the scope of what the judge needs to decide, saving time and expense even when mediation doesn’t resolve everything. Because Brian Bagley is prepared to litigate from the start, clients who don’t reach a full agreement in mediation aren’t left without a next step. The same attorney who represented you in the mediation room is ready to represent you in court.

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Five-Star Client Reviews

Hear From Our Clients in Their Own Words

"This office is a top-notch law firm. My issues were handled efficiently and skillfully to my satisfaction. I would recommend this team hands down!"

This office is a top-notch law firm. My issues were handled efficiently and skillfully to my satisfaction. Kristen and Gwen ...

Pamela S.
"The most personable attorney you will find. Brian and Kristen will make you feel like you and your case matter."

The most personable attorney you will find. Brian and Kristen will make you feel like you and your case matter.

Former Client
"From the first meeting with Brian, he exuded confidence in his knowledge of legal matters. Always very honest, straightforward forward, and clear with his advice and guidance."

From the first meeting with Brian, he exuded confidence in his knowledge of legal matters. Always very honest, ...

Jared C.
"Brian, Kristen, and Gwenyth were phenomenal. They have handled my difficult situations without judgment, almost like family."

Brian, Kristen, and Gwenyth were phenomenal in handling my divorce and traffic tickets over the years. They have handled my ...

Former Client
"Very professional, very attentive, and really cared about my well being... this is a top-notch firm."

Brian Bagley and Kristin Tinker were outstanding to work with from day one! Very professional, very attentive, and really ...

Former Client
"I can NOT say enough about this firm!! Brian continued throughout to work diligently and forcefully so that we were victorious!"

I can NOT say enough about this firm!! It took two very long and very stressful years to get my matter complete. Brian ...

Carolyn M.
"Brian has gone ABOVE and BEYOND in making sure my kids have their father in their lives. These guys are parents as well and they stand for what’s right."

This legal team in my opinion, is elite. I can’t say enough good about them. Brian has gone ABOVE and BEYOND in making sure ...

Riko S.
"Brian Bagley is the best family law attorney I have ever worked with. He explained everything to me in terms I could easily understand."

Brian Bagley is the best family law attorney I have ever worked with. From our first online meeting, he explained everything ...

Ken H.

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