FAQ

Mediation is a voluntary, private process where you and your partner work together, with the help of an impartial third party, to reach agreements about your divorce, custody arrangement, or parenting plan. 

Unlike court, no one makes decisions for you. There are no lawyers arguing against each other and no judge determining the outcome of your family's future. 

You stay in control of the process from beginning to end. Mediation is typically faster, less expensive, and significantly less emotionally damaging than litigation, especially when children are involved.

Mediation works best for couples who are willing to communicate and work toward resolution, even if that feels hard right now. You don't need to agree on everything before you start, that's what the process is for. 

Mediation may not be appropriate in situations involving domestic violence, significant power imbalances, or active substance abuse. If you're unsure whether mediation is right for your situation, I offer a free consultation so we can talk through it together.

In most cases, yes, but not in the way you might be imagining. A legal divorce or custody agreement does need to be formally approved by a court to be enforceable. 

What mediation changes is how you get there. Instead of appearing before a judge who makes decisions for your family, you arrive at the courthouse with an agreement already in hand, one that you and your partner created together, on your own terms. 

For most clients, court involvement becomes a brief formality rather than a battleground. That's the difference.

A mediated agreement is a valid contract between two parties, and many co-parents honor it without any issues. 

However, without court approval it is not legally enforceable in the same way a court order is. 

That means if one party later refuses to follow it, your options are limited. 

To make your agreement fully protected, it should be submitted to and approved by a family court judge, who will incorporate it into an official court order. 

Once that happens, violating the terms carries real legal consequences. Mediation gets you to an agreement on your terms, the court makes it stick.

I always recommend that each party retain their own separate attorney to review the final agreement before signing, not to negotiate against each other, but simply to make sure you each fully understand what you're agreeing to. 

This is called independent legal review and it's an important protection for both of you.

When reaching out to attorneys, be specific about what you need. You can say something like:

"I am going through a mediated divorce and have a separation agreement that is nearly finalized. I am looking for an attorney to provide independent legal review of the agreement, not full representation. Can you tell me if you offer this service and what your fee would be?"

This is sometimes called unbundled legal services or limited scope, and many family law attorneys in CT offer it at a fraction of the cost of full representation.

Every situation is different. 

A relatively straightforward parenting plan might be resolved in two or three sessions. 

A full divorce involving asset division, support, and a parenting plan may take four to eight sessions or more. 

The pace is set by you, not by a court calendar. Most clients find the process moves significantly faster than litigation would have.

Sessions are typically 90 minutes to two hours. 

This gives us enough time to get into meaningful territory and make real progress without leaving you emotionally drained. 

Your schedule and bandwidth matter, we'll find a rhythm that works for both of you.

Mediation is almost always significantly less expensive than going to court. 

Sessions are available per session or through a flat rate package depending on the complexity of your situation. 

A free 20-minute consultation is available so we can discuss your circumstances and find the right fit.

 Pricing is transparent and discussed upfront, no surprises.

Reaching an impasse on one issue doesn't mean the whole process falls apart. 

Part of my role is to help you work through difficult conversations and explore options you may not have considered. 

If there are specific issues that remain unresolved after good faith effort, those can be noted in your agreement and addressed separately, including through a parenting coordinator, financial neutral, or ultimately the court if necessary. 

Mediation doesn't require perfection. It requires willingness.

Typically both parties are present in the same session, which allows for real-time dialogue and decision making. 

In some situations I may meet with each party separately, this is called a caucus, to help work through a particularly sensitive issue before bringing everyone back together. 

We'll discuss what format works best for your situation at the start of the process.

Yes. What is shared in mediation is confidential and cannot be used as evidence in court proceedings.

This confidentiality is one of the things that makes mediation a safe space for honest conversation. 

There are limited exceptions; such as disclosures involving child abuse or imminent harm, which I will review with you at the start of our work together.

Intentional separation is the idea that a divorce or uncoupling doesn't have to be defined by conflict, bitterness, or loss. 

It can be a purposeful, respectful transition that honors what the relationship was while creating space for what comes next. 

It's a philosophy I deeply believe in and one that shapes how I approach every session. 

How you separate matters just as much as the decision to separate itself.