Divorce Mediation

The service you’ll receive

Mediation is a cost-effective, time-saving alternative to a litigated divorce.

As your mediator, I facilitate safe and productive conversations, during which you and your spouse prepare your divorce filing and work out the terms of your Separation Agreement.

Sometimes my clients argue during sessions, which can be an important part of healing. I hold space for big emotions and gently guide clients back to a productive workspace.

Mediation is not therapy, but there is a therapeutic aspect to the process that provides many of my clients with a deeper sense of understanding and closure.

I don't take sides, give advice, or make judgments. My personal style is neutral-positive. This means that my hope for both of you is to emerge from this process feeling as good as you can about your agreement and the way you handled yourself.

Your process is voluntary and confidential.

The work you’ll do

During mediation sessions, you and your spouse create the terms of your divorce and fulfill all requirements for your court filing. As your mediator, I will help you:

Calculate child support and alimony

Design a co-parenting plan that supports a two-household family

Divide assets and retirement accounts

Discuss all topics necessary to build a fair and equitable Separation Agreement

Complete all court paperwork

Have an opportunity to experience some degree of closure through mediated conversation (if desired - not all couples choose to do this).

The money and time you’ll save

Mediation offers you greater control over your divorce process--from timing to cost to outcomes. A mediated divorce will save upwards of $9,000 per party when compared to a litigated divorce. The average couple saves at least six months of negotiating time and 18 months of adjudication time when they meditate their divorce.

Pricing

Divorce Mediation Services

$425 per hour (firm)

I no longer offer a sliding scale, but can refer you to not-for-profit organizations that offer reduced rates.

Please also note: I provide mediation services only. At the end of your process, I will introduce you to a neutral drafting attorney who will translate your agreement into legalese. Her fee is separate. Depending on the way your agreement shakes out, you may also need to hire a QDRO specialist or a CDFA to divide retirement assets.

Agreement to Participate

We are requesting mediation services from Vanessa Linsey, and understand and agree to the following terms:

  • We are the decision makers in this process and the mediator cannot impose any decisions regarding the disputed issues.

  • Mediator services shall not be construed as legal advice, financial advice, therapy or any professional service other than mediation. Either of us may seek expert advice at any time during the mediation. The mediator has advised each of us to have separate, independent counsel review any agreement before we sign it.

  • Mediation is a voluntary process. The mediator or we may choose to end the process at any time.

  • If requested, we must disclose all of our financial worth, assets and liabilities during the mediation process. We each accept full responsibility for the reasonable accuracy of the figures disclosed and understand that agreements reached will be based in part on these figures.

  • We understand that mediation is a confidential process under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 233, Section 23C and that Vanessa and her professional team will keep the details of our case and all related documents confidential. However, we understand the mediator reserves the right to disclose suspected abuse and/or crime to the proper authorities.

  • The mediator can set forth any agreement reached in mediation in a Memorandum of Understanding, Separation Agreement or other written document upon our request.

Fee Agreement

We, the below signed parties, understand and agree to the following:

Hourly Fee

  • We will pay the agreed hourly fee entered below.

  • We understand that we may be asked to pay in advance of a session to ensure accounts are up to date.

  • We agree that previous session and drafting work must be paid for in full before booking subsequent sessions and that work on a case may be halted if invoices remain unpaid.

Flat Fee

  • We will pay a non‐refundable fee indicated in the drop down menu below at the time we schedule our first mediation session.

  • We will pay the balance before receiving a Memorandum of Understanding

  • The flat fee includes:
    a. Up to 10 hours of divorce mediation sessions over three months;
    b. The drafting of the Memorandum of Understanding;
    c. Phone calls and emails with the Mediator.

  • The flat fee does not include:

    a. Legal drafting fees;

    b. QDRO drafting fees;

    c. Individual attorney fees;

    d. Any other professional fees required or desired by the client in order to confidently complete their petition for divorce.

  • We give permission for Vanessa Linsey to charge our credit card for mediation services as described above,
    unless we have paid by check.

  • If we need more than three months of services, from the date of the first session, we will pay $425 per hour for any additional time or sign on for another three months.