FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
❓What is a mediation, exactly?
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where a neutral third party (that’s me—the mediator) helps people communicate more effectively, clarify issues, and work toward a resolution they both can honor. I don’t make decisions for you or give legal advice, but I do guide the conversation to help you find common ground and possible solutions.
📍 Where do mediations take place?
I do not maintain a private office space. The majority of my mediations take place on Zoom. If the parties are represented by counsel, sometimes we hold mediation in person at one of the attorneys’ offices. If that’s not an option, or if the parties are self-represented, we’ll meet virtually via Zoom. Online mediation has proven to be incredibly effective and convenient—it’s secure, easy to use, and allows everyone to participate from wherever they are.
🧾 What kinds of cases do you mediate?
I handle a wide range of civil matters, including:
- Family law (custody, divorce, etc.)
- Probate and guardianship
- Landlord-tenant disputes
Business disagreements
…and more. If you’re unsure if your case is a good fit, feel free to reach out.
🌎 Do you only work with cases in Collin County?
Not at all! I’ve mediated cases across Texas—including Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Johnson, Rockwall, Ellis, Hunt, Delta, and Grayson Counties, just to name a few. Thanks to Zoom, I’m also able to assist people across the state, the country, and even internationally.
🕒 Do you offer flexible scheduling?
Absolutely. I understand that life doesn’t always run on a 9-to-5 schedule. I offer evening and weekend appointments whenever possible. If you need a time outside regular business hours—or have a specific date in mind that’s not showing on my calendar—give me a call at 214-937-9209 or email mediations@sharoncorsentino.com. I’ll do my best to accommodate you.
🎓 What training and experience do you have?
I’ve been mediating since 2009. Before that, I completed:
- 40-hour Civil Mediation Training
- 24-hour Family Mediation Training
- Specialized training in domestic violence mediation in 2017.
Since then, I’ve continued to grow as both a student and educator—attending regular seminars and conferences, and teaching mediation courses at El Centro Community College and the University of North Texas.
💻 Do you offer online mediations?
Yes! In fact, I was using online platforms like Skype and FaceTime even before Zoom became the go-to option. Since 2020, I’ve conducted hundreds of mediations virtually. It’s a great way to bring people together no matter where they’re located.
👥 Can you mediate for people who don’t have attorneys?
Yes, I can. I do ask that we start with a free joint consultation to go over the process and make sure it’s the right fit for everyone involved. It’s important to note that while I am an attorney, I don’t represent either party in mediation. If legal advice is needed, you’ll need to consult your own attorney. I take professional ethics seriously and always strive to uphold the highest standards.
HELPFUL LINKS
Collin County District Clerk: https://www.collincountytx.gov/District-Clerk
Dallas County District Clerk: https://www.dallascounty.org/government/district-clerk/
Denton County District Clerk: http://dentoncounty.com/Departments/District-Clerk.aspx
Tarrant County District Clerk: http://access.tarrantcounty.com/en/district-clerk.html
Texas Attorney General – Child Support Division: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cs/welcome-to-the-child-support-division
Collaborative Divorce Texas: http://collaborativedivorcetexas.com/
Kids in the Crossfire: The Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) produced a short video about the effect of parents’ behavior on children during divorce. It’s free and can be accessed via this link. https://tyla.org/resource/kids-in-the-crossfire/
Split: http://www.splitfilm.org/ This is a really touching movie about the effects of divorce on kids in their own words. It’s 30 minutes long and is available for digital streaming. For parents going through divorce, I think it is money and time well spent to watch this.
The Texas Young Lawyers Association puts out a lot of good general resources for the public, including brochures about guiding teenagers and children through divorce. https://tyla.org/resources/general-public/
Call (214) 937-9209 or email mediations@sharoncorsentino.com for more information.