One table, two futures, no courtroom
Mediation
A trained neutral helps the two of you design your own agreement on parenting, property, and support, at a fraction of the cost and conflict of a court fight.
Mediation is the strongest tool in family law that most people have never been offered. Instead of two lawyers negotiating at arm's length, you and your spouse sit with one neutral professional whose only job is to help you find terms you can both live with. Nothing is decided for you, and nothing is filed until you're ready.
Claire Whitfield has mediated family disputes for over a decade. Sessions happen in our conference room, or over video when distance or comfort calls for it, and move at the pace the two of you set. Most couples finish in three sessions.
Mediation isn't right for every family. Where there's a history of violence, intimidation, or hidden money, an uneven table produces an unfair agreement, and we'll say so rather than sell you a package. Part of our first conversation is an honest screen for exactly that.
What it costs
Fees, in plain sight
| Matter | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mediation package: three 2-hour sessions plus a written summary of your agreement | $2,400 per couple |
| Additional sessions | $350 per session |
| Turning your written summary into filed court paperwork optional, for one party, with the other's independent review | $950 flat |
The package fee is shared by the couple and covers preparation, sessions, and the written summary of everything you agreed. Compare it honestly with two retainers and you'll see why we suggest mediation first whenever it's safe and fair to do so.
What it looks like
Step by step, at your pace
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A short intake with each of you
Separate, confidential calls so the mediator understands each view and screens for anything that would make mediation unfair.
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Sessions at your pace
Two-hour working sessions, agenda set together. Homework between sessions is small and practical: documents, budgets, calendar drafts.
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Your agreement, in writing
A plain-language summary of every decision, called a memorandum of understanding. You can review it with your own lawyer before anything is signed or filed.
Who you'd work with
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Claire WhitfieldFounder & Managing Attorney
Honest answers
Questions families ask us
Is the mediator on anyone's side?
No, and that's the point. A mediator can't give either of you legal advice or argue for either position. Many couples have the written summary reviewed by their own lawyers before signing, and we encourage exactly that.
What if we agree on most things but not everything?
That's the most common starting point, and it's fine. Mediation can narrow a dispute to the two or three truly hard questions. Even if one issue ends up needing a judge, you've saved most of the cost and conflict.
Does what we say in mediation stay private?
Mediation is a confidential settlement process, and with narrow legal exceptions what's said there can't be used in court later. It's designed to be a safe room for honest numbers and honest fears.