Texas Family Code
§ 153.0071 — ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES
FA § 153.0071Title 5. THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP · Part B. SUITS AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP · Ch. 153. CONSERVATORSHIP, POSSESSION, AND ACCESS · Art. A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Statute text
View on source(a)On written agreement of the parties, the court may refer a suit affecting the parent-child relationship to arbitration. The agreement must state whether the arbitration is binding or non-binding.
(b)If the parties agree to binding arbitration, the court shall render an order reflecting the arbitrator's award unless the court determines at a non-jury hearing that the award is not in the best interest of the child. The burden of proof at a hearing under this subsection is on the party seeking to avoid rendition of an order based on the arbitrator's award.
(c)On the written agreement of the parties or on the court's own motion, the court may refer a suit affecting the parent-child relationship to mediation.
(d)A mediated settlement agreement is binding on the parties if the agreement:
(1)provides, in a prominently displayed statement that is in boldfaced type or capital letters or underlined, that the agreement is not subject to revocation;
(2)is signed by each party to the agreement; and
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Legislative history
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 916 (H.B. 260), Sec. 7, eff. June 18, 2005. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1181 (H.B. 555), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 99 (S.B. 495), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.