Scheduling Overview

How To Schedule a DCAP Family Mediation

1
Obtain DCAP Order of Referral to Mediate. CLICK HERE for form. Only standard DCAP Order of Referral to Mediate documents will be accepted by DCAP.
2
Complete Order: page 3 by the Attorney, then page 2 by the Judge
3
Send completed Order to DCAP by email, fax, or mail.
4
Go to calendar page of this website OR Request available dates and corresponding mediators by calling, faxing or emailing DCAP.
5
Upon receiving available mediation dates, contact opposing counsel or pro se and coordinate your, opposing counsel's, and the client's date of mediation.
6
Once the date has been selected, contact the DCAP office and make sure this date is still available. If not, return to step 4 and repeat. If so, inform DCAP in writing by all parties that an agreed date has been selected in accordance with the Order. Please specify the requested date.
7
Provide DCAP with fax numbers of all parties. If no fax, then email information.
8
Scheduling confirmation letters will be sent to the attorneys of record on the case. For pro se parties, the confirmation letters will be sent by certified mail. DCAP will need an accurate address on all pro se parties.

1
Obtain DCAP Order of Referral to Mediate.
2
Complete Order: page 3 by the Attorney, then page 2 by the Judge
3
Send completed Order to DCAP by email, fax, or mail.
4
Contact opposing counsel or pro se and coordinate your, opposing counsel's, and the client's schedule to provide DCAP with 2 or 3 possible mediation dates.
5
Contact DCAP and provide them with the selection of requested dates and inform them of the type of case it is.
6
DCAP will find a case-type specific mediator for one of the given pre-selected dates.
7
DCAP will contact you via confirmation letter to let you know that you case has been set.
8
Scheduling confirmation letters will be sent to the attorneys of record on the case. For pro se parties, the confirmation letters will be sent by certified mail. DCAP will need an accurate address on all pro se parties.

All DCAP mediations are from 9am - 5pm, and may run until 6pm. Schedule accordingly.
Once set, level 1 & 2 specific mediators are not guaranteed however the date of your mediation is. If your mediator changes, you will be given as much notice as possible by DCAP.
Mediation files will be retained at the DCAP office for 3 years from mediation date before documents in file are destroyed.

Cancellation / Rescheduling
Cancellation/Rescheduling policy: Once a mediation date has been set, DCAP will only reschedule or cancel a mediation if the mediation reschedule request is within the 45-day window stated on the Order of Referral to Mediation AND all parties agree in writing to the cancellation or rescheduling of the mediation. If DCAP receives the completed agreed written cancellation/rescheduling communication more than 10 days before the set mediation, the $150 deposit/fee per party will be refunded. If the completed agreed written cancellation/rescheduling communication is received by DCAP within 10 days of the set mediation, the $150 deposit/fee per party will not be refunded. If the deposit/fee had not been received by the time of cancellation and the parties are canceling within the 10 day period, the $150 will be due. DCAP does not establish fault of cancellation. Both parties WILL be charged regardless of reason of cancellation. It is up to the parties to pay DCAP and if needed, work out reimbursement between themselves. Ten calendar days are counted by Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4. There is no three-day extension for mail or fax notification.
Copies
If parties wish DCAP to make any additional copies or print outs beside the provided MSA, there will be a $0.25 per page fee which will be collected at the time of request.
Children
CHILDREN ARE NOT ALLOWED AT THE DCAP OFFICE FOR ANY REASON.