"Dear Jennifer, A belated thank you for mediating my divorce. You are a consummate professional, kind and thorough! I am on a new journey but will never forget you."
What is mediation?
Mediation fosters cooperation and communication between people going through a difficult transition. A neutral, trained professional helps identify issues, explore options, and support informed decision-making so the parties retain control of outcomes. It’s useful for separation/divorce and other interpersonal conflicts.
Why would I choose mediation over a litigated divorce?
Mediation is non-adversarial, typically faster and less expensive, and helps you keep control of decisions affecting your lives and children. Litigation routes negotiations through attorneys, prolonging the process, raising costs, and often increasing conflict.
Are you a lawyer as well as a mediator?
No—and even if I were, it would be unethical to give legal advice or take sides while mediating. My role is to stay neutral, provide legal information, and help you reach a fair, workable agreement for your family.
If we choose mediation, do we still need to have lawyers?
I recommend each of you have a consulting attorney to answer legal questions and review the agreement before it’s finalized. That said, consulting attorneys are optional—the mediation can succeed without them.
Can you recommend attorneys to us?
Yes. I work with attorneys familiar with mediation and can provide several references to choose from.
My husband and I can’t talk without getting annoyed—how can we sit through a mediation?
Mediation is a structured conversation with the mediator guiding turns, clarifying needs, and keeping things productive. Many couples find they communicate better in mediation than they have in a long time.
My spouse and I disagree on everything—how can we reach an agreement?
If you agreed on everything, you probably wouldn’t be separating. My role is to help each of you define your needs, explore multiple options, and build a practical agreement you can both live with.
How often do we have to meet?
Some prefer weekly sessions; others meet twice a month. We can tailor the cadence to your schedule and needs.
How long are the sessions and how many will we need?
Sessions usually last 1–2 hours. The total number depends on the issues involved. For a couple with children, a home, retirement accounts, and various finances, expect roughly 3–6 sessions.
What happens in the first session?
After a brief overview of the process, we’ll discuss your family, goals, and priorities. I’ll also provide a checklist of topics we’ll cover as we work toward your agreement.
Do we need to prepare anything for the first session?
Yes—before your first meeting I’ll email a questionnaire. Completing it beforehand saves time and helps us focus on the most important issues quickly.
How will we know what belongs in the separation/divorce agreement?
That’s part of my job. I’ll ensure we address all relevant topics based on your situation—parenting plans, child support, spousal support, and property division, among others.
What if we’re not sure about a parenting schedule for the children?
Many parents test a provisional schedule while resolving other items. We can adjust over several weeks to see what works best for your family.
What’s the difference between a parenting and a custody agreement?
A parenting agreement sets out how you share weekly time and holidays. A custody agreement outlines how major decisions about the children are made.
What if our custody agreement stops working later on?
Families change. You can modify arrangements informally or return to mediation to craft a revised parenting plan—sometimes formalized in writing or notarized.
What if one of us wants to stay in the house and both of us have money in it?
There are several options we can explore, including different ways to compensate the spouse moving out—either now or in the future.
How do we decide who pays what for college when the kids are still young?
We can explore options now, or agree on a future decision point to revisit the topic when more is known about the children’s needs and finances.
What is the free half-hour consultation you offer?
I offer a free 30-minute meeting to explain the process, answer questions, and make sure you’re comfortable working with me.
Do you charge a retainer—how do your fees work?
I don’t charge a retainer. My fees are hourly for session time, plus a document preparation fee for the agreement that reflects what you’ve resolved in mediation.
We’re post-divorce but still having difficulties—can we return to mediation?
Yes. Mediation is a good place to address communication issues, financial questions, and schedule adjustments. Small changes can have a big positive impact.