Mediation has long been a cornerstone of family law, offering a less adversarial and more collaborative approach to resolving disputes. In 2024, the significance of mediation in family law has only grown, driven by legislative changes, evolving societal needs, and ongoing efforts to alleviate the burden on the courts. This article explores the current landscape of mediation in family law, particularly the work of Anthony Picchioni, Ph.D., and other recent updates to the field.

According to the Texas Judicial Branch Annual Statistical Report for fiscal year 2020:

  1. “One-third of family cases were disposed of by agreed judgment in 2020.
  2. 27% of cases were disposed of by bench trials.
  3. Less than 0.1% of family cases were decided by jury trial.”

The Role of Mediation