ASHEVILLE DIVORCE MEDIATION SERVICES

A BETTER WAY TO SEPARATE.

Why Mediation?

Mediation is a thoughtful, structured approach to navigating divorce with clarity, stability, and respect. Divorce is one of the most difficult transitions a family can face. It often involves grief, uncertainty, and complicated decisions about finances, parenting, and the future. Most divorces happen through lawyers and courtrooms. That process often increases conflict, expense, and emotional damage. Mediation offers another path. As a licensed mental health counselor and NC-certified Family Financial Settlement (FFS) Mediator, I help couples work through difficult decisions in a structured, thoughtful process designed to reduce conflict and create sustainable agreements.

I offer both in-person and virtual mediation services.

Who Mediation Works Best For

Mediation is most effective for couples who share a general intention to separate cooperatively rather than adversarially.

The process works best when both partners are willing to:

• participate respectfully in conversation
• share financial information honestly
• focus on practical solutions rather than blame
• prioritize stability for children (when children are involved)

Many couples seeking mediation are hoping to:

• reduce unnecessary legal conflict
• minimize financial costs
• maintain a functional relationship after divorce
• protect their children from prolonged conflict

While mediation can involve difficult conversations, the overall goal is to create agreements that both people can live with moving forward.

The Mediation Process

Mediation is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Depending on your schedule, complexity of assets, and level of communication, I offer two main paths to resolve your issues out of court: Intensive 1-Day Mediation or Multi-Session Mediation.

Please note: When reaching out to initiate mediation, please refrain from sharing detailed background information or individual perspectives about your situation. To protect the integrity of the process and maintain strict neutrality, I prefer to enter our initial session with as little prior information about the parties as possible.

Intensive 1-Day Mediation

Format: A full-day session (typically 4–8 hours, with the option to extend longer or schedule an additional day if needed).

Best For: Couples seeking an efficient, expedited resolution who are motivated to finalize their terms in one or two sessions and have all financial records ready in advance.

Pros & Cons

  • Pros:

    • Reaches a resolution quickly without dragging out over months of anticipation.

    • Reduces cumulative administrative and scheduling hours.

    • Minimizes prolonged stress and allows both parties to move forward sooner

  • Cons:

    • Long hours of negotiation can feel draining.

    • Less time overnight to sleep on major decisions before they are finalized

STEPS OF THE INTENSIVE 1-DAY MEDIATION PROCESS

Multi-Session Mediation

  • Format: 3 to 5 separate sessions (1.5–2 hours each), spaced over several weeks.

  • Best For: Couples who need time between discussions to gather financial documents, consult outside professionals (financial planners, individual therapists), or process emotional decisions at a slower pace.

  • Pros & Cons

    • Pros:

      • Built-in time between sessions to digest information and consider options.

      • Allows extra breathing room to track down missing financial records or consult independent experts.

      • Keeps discussions manageable by breaking topics down into smaller pieces.

    • Cons:

      • Can stretch across several weeks or months.

      • Conflict can occasionally flare back up between scheduled meetings.

STEPS OF THE MULTI-SESSION MEDIATION PROCESS

  • We begin with introductions. I will share my Mediation Opening Statement, which details confidentiality boundaries, my neutral role as your mediator, and the voluntary nature of the process.

  • The process often moves into separate rooms or breakout spaces (caucuses). If we are meeting virtually, I am able to send you into different virtual ‘rooms’. This allows each participant to speak candidly, explore options, and express concerns in a confidential setting without direct pressure from the other party.

    Here we will discuss the primary topics needing resolution, such as parenting plans, asset division, and support structures.

  • As common ground emerges, proposals are carried back and forth between the parties, refining details until a clear, mutually agreeable path forward is built.

  • At the conclusion of the day, all agreed-upon terms are detailed into a comprehensive, organized summary.

    Please note: while I cannot draft formal court filings or legally binding separation contracts, I will provide you with a detailed Summary of Mediated Agreements. You can take this summary directly to an attorney, who will formally convert it into your legal documents.

  • The process begins with an introductory consultation. This meeting provides an opportunity to:

    • explain how mediation works
    • discuss the issues that need to be addressed
    • determine whether mediation is appropriate for the situation
    • answer questions about expectations, timelines, and cost

    This conversation also helps ensure that both partners feel comfortable participating in mediation.

  • The first mediation session focuses on establishing a foundation for productive discussion. During this session we review:

    • the role of the mediator
    • guidelines for respectful communication
    • the overall structure of the mediation process
    • the major issues that will need to be addressed

    Divorce conversations can easily become emotionally overwhelming. Establishing clear ground rules helps keep discussions focused and constructive.

  • Before negotiating agreements, it is important for both partners to have a shared understanding of the financial situation. During this stage, couples gather information related to:

    • income and employment
    • bank accounts and investments
    • retirement accounts
    • real estate and property
    • debts and financial obligations

    This step is not about negotiation yet—it is about transparency and clarity.

  • When children are involved, a significant portion of mediation focuses on parenting arrangements. Topics typically include:

    • weekly parenting schedules
    • holiday and vacation planning
    • decision-making responsibilities
    • communication between parents

    The goal is to create a parenting plan that supports children’s stability and well-being.

  • Once financial information has been clarified, mediation moves into negotiating agreements around property division and support. This may include discussions about:

    • division of assets
    • responsibility for debts
    • the future of the family home
    • child support considerations
    • possible spousal support

    As the mediator, I help guide these discussions while remaining neutral and focused on identifying workable solutions.

  • When agreements are reached, you will prepare a written summary outlining the decisions made during mediation. Because I am not an attorney, this summary is not a legal document. Most couples choose to have independent attorneys review the agreement before incorporating it into the final divorce paperwork filed with the court.

Which path should you choose?

Choose Intensive 1-Day Mediation if: You and your spouse communicate relatively well, share a strong motivation to settle out of court swiftly, have your financial disclosures ready, and want to minimize overall time spent in conflict.

Choose Multi-Session Mediation if: High emotional tension calls for shorter, highly focused interactions, or if you manage a complex estate (such as a family business or multiple properties) that necessitates ongoing research between meetings.

PRICING

I charge a one-time Administrative fee of $200, and my hourly Mediation rate is $200/hr. My hourly rate matches the North Carolina court-set rate for state-certified mediation. Out of an ethical commitment to keeping dispute resolution accessible, I choose not to charge above this baseline. This provides families in the Asheville area with a professional, cost-effective alternative to traditional litigation or higher-priced mediation.

Payment is typically made at the time of each session. Some couples choose to split the cost evenly, while others create a different arrangement that works for them.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • No. I am a licensed mental health counselor and certified FFS mediator, not an attorney. My role is to facilitate conversations and help couples reach agreements. I cannot provide legal advice or represent either person. If legal guidance is needed, I encourage both partners to consult independent attorneys.

  • Many couples choose to consult attorneys to review their final agreement before submitting it to the court. This ensures both partners understand their legal rights while still allowing the mediation process to remain collaborative.

  • I offer mediation services both in-person or through my secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual conferencing software.

  • Disagreement is a normal part of mediation. The process provides a structured environment to explore those disagreements and consider different options. Many couples find that even difficult issues become easier to discuss when the conversation is guided and focused.

  • Most couples complete mediation in six to ten sessions. More complex financial situations may require additional time.

  • If mediation does not lead to a full agreement, couples still have the option of pursuing other legal processes. However, many couples find that mediation resolves most issues even if some details require additional assistance.

  • Yes. Conversations during mediation are generally confidential and cannot be used later in court proceedings. This confidentiality allows both partners to speak openly and explore possible solutions.

  • Mediation works best for couples who are willing to approach the process with a collaborative mindset. If there is significant coercion, intimidation, or unwillingness to participate respectfully, mediation may not be appropriate. These concerns are typically discussed during the consultation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR FFS MEDIATION IN NC

The Role of Lawyers in Mediation

As a neutral professional guiding your negotiations, I do not provide legal advice or act as legal counsel for either spouse.

  • Independent Legal Counsel: You are strongly encouraged to consult an independent family law attorney to understand your rights under North Carolina law.

  • Lawyer Involvement in Mediation: Depending on your preferences, attorneys can either attend the intensive 1-day mediation alongside you or remain accessible on standby via phone/email to review draft proposals during breaks.

  • Document Preparation Note: While I cannot draft formal court filings or legally binding separation contracts, I will provide you with a detailed Summary of Mediated Agreements. You can take this summary directly to an attorney, who will formally convert it into your legal documents.

Completing Your Divorce After Mediation in North Carolina

Once your mediation session wraps up successfully, you will follow these legal milestones to finalize your divorce in North Carolina:

  1. Formalize the Agreement: Take your mediation summary to an attorney to draft a formal, legally binding Separation Agreement and Property Settlement (SAPS), which both spouses sign and notarize.

  2. Fulfill the 1-Year Separation Requirement: Under North Carolina law, spouses must live separate and apart in two separate residences for at least one year and one day with the intent to end the marriage before a divorce can be granted.

  3. File for Absolute Divorce: After the statutory one-year separation period has passed, either spouse can file a Complaint for Absolute Divorce through the local county clerk's office.

  4. Service of Process: The non-filing spouse is officially served with the divorce complaint and summons (or signs an Acceptance of Service waiver).

  5. Final Judgment: Following the required statutory waiting period (typically 30 days after service), a judge signs the Judgment of Absolute Divorce, legally dissolving the marriage.

Please visit this page through the North Carolina Judicial Branch to learn more about the Separation & Divorce Process in NC.

CONTACT TO SCHEDULE YOUR INITIAL CALL

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