FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My deposit (retainer) is only $1000 for general mediation, and $1900 for family law mediation, which is far less than other family law mediators. My hourly price ranges from $195-$295/hr. I will also reduce my retainer fee on occasion or cobble together a low-cost approach for people who are struggling financially but still want some guidance and divorce services. On rare occasion, I can negotiate even a lower hourly rate, if there are very compelling reasons to do so. If a couple is just coming in to learn about divorce, but not mediate with me, then there is no deposit, but simply an hourly rate.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Because my primary goal is for clients to make informed decisions and really understand the divorce process, a lot of times a couple will come to my office for about three hours to learn about the divorce process. I emphasize that there is no pressure to hire me - its just like a shortened version of the 10-hour "how to divorce" classes that I teach, except that it is tailored to the questions/needs of the couple.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have taken mediation courses and, as I stated above, I continue to work in the field of family law litigation and attend continuing education courses for attorneys. Additionally, I am licensed as a Substitute teacher, and on occasion, if I don't have a deadline in family law, I substitute at elementary and middle schools. Additionally, I was a civil engineer for many years. I have had an interest in finances and investments for decades, and that too comes in very handy! So, sometimes I take on other types of mediation cases that are not in family law, where I feel that my background and experience lends itself well to the issue at hand. Because I love the challenge of trying to solve all kinds of problems, I will bring in a co-mediator (at my cost) with a particular qualification (such as a general contractor), who is a professional that I know, if I feel that we need an expert to help solve the problem.