MEDIATION SERVICES
RCC provides both divorce and co-parenting mediation.
WHAT IS DIVORCE MEDIATION?
When a married couple decides to divorce, there are several options available. Divorce mediation involves a trained mediator who meets with both spouses together and facilitates a civil and structured decision-making meeting, covering approximately 20-25 particulate topics. The mediator may communicate with the couple's lawyers, and may also communicate with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst or Certified Public Accountant to help assist with more complex financial issues. During this process, spouses work toegeher while the mediator remains neutral and ensures that there is an open exchange of information.
WHAT IS CO-PARENTING MEDIATION?
Co-parenting mediation is a structured, collaborative process that helps separated or divorced parents work together to make decisions about raising their children.
Guided by a neutral third-party mediator, parents discuss important topics such as custody schedules, communication, and parenting responsibilities in a calm and supportive environment. The goal is to reduce conflict, improve cooperation, and create a parenting plan that prioritizes the well-being and stability of the children.
Who is our Mediator?
Lindsey Thomas is a licensed mental health professionals who has been professionally trained as a Divorce and Co-parenting Mediator. While she does not act as a therapist in her mediator role, Lindsey comes to mediation with many years of expertise in supporting individuals and couples in: achieving conflict resolution, effectively communicating difficult emotions, and understanding child development.
Lindsey believes that her role is to trust and respect the adults before her who have made a conscious decision to divorce or improve co-parenting and to support them in achieving this goal in the most cost-effective, supportive, and non-adversarial manner possible.
Lindsey has years of experience in collaborating with and forging professional relationships with excellent local attorneys and financial professionals. If you do not have the resources you need, she will point you in the right direction.
Benefits of Mediation
The benefits of mediation vs. litigation are numerous and include (but are not limited to) the following:
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places the needs of children first
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promotes a win-win situation for all parties
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encourages respect
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ensures that the concerns of each party are heard and validated
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focuses on the future vs. the past
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tends to cost considerably less than a litigated (court) proceeding
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makes financial information available to both parties
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can often resolve issues in a single session
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respects the individuals as the "experts" on their lives rather than having decisions made for them by professionals
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provides a more flexible schedule (sessions are scheduled by the individuals rather than following a court schedule)
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sessions are non-adversarial
MEDIATION PROCESS
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You may consult a mediator before hiring a lawyer, or your lawyer(s) may refer you to a mediator
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Your lawyer will review the Memorandum of Understanding (divorce or co-parenting agreement) after it is drafted
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Sessions typically occur over the course of two 3-hour sessions
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The mediator covers approximately 20-25 specific legal issues, asking questions and facilitating healthy discussion around each
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After the sessions, the mediator drafts a Memorandum of Understanding and revises the agreement you have reached, based on your joint decisions
MEDIATION COST
Mediation sessions are $250 per hour and are typically scheduled in 3 hour blocks. The cost of preparing the final Memorandum of Understanding, which is provided to your attorney(s), is $400. This includes time spent consulting with collateral contacts. Any fees associated with your attorney(s), CDFA, CPA or other professionals are your responsibility based on any agreements you have with said professionals. Payments are due at the time of your sessions.