Free consultation about divorce mediation
A free consultation (in person or by Zoom) lasts about one hour. It offers you and your spouse:
- answers to questions about divorce mediation,
- information (legal, tax, financial, parenting) to help you make informed decisions about divorce,
- a personalized written estimate of the cost of divorce mediation.
Spouses attend the free consultation together. Attending together helps you decide whether a mediation divorce is right for you, and whether I am the right mediator.
An entire mediation divorce that includes discussing and deciding terms, signing Pennsylvania legal documents, and getting a Pennsylvania divorce decree can be completed in my office. Spouses can divorce without setting foot in court.
Schedule a free consultation about divorce mediation
Spouses often are pleased with how peaceful and productive discussions can be during a free consultation. And if they later decide to schedule a divorce mediation session, about 9 in 10 couples will reach an out-of-court agreement to divorce. In Pennsylvania, spouses who reach agreement in mediation can divorce without setting foot in court.
Timeline for a mediation divorce
The best way to prepare for divorce mediation
Attending a free consultation is the best way to prepare for divorce mediation. During the consultation I help spouses to have a calm, open, and productive discussion about divorce. A couple can personally experience how mediation would work for them.
As a full-time divorce mediator, I am committed to helping divorcing couples stay on or find their path of peace. I believe a peaceful divorce is possible even under difficult circumstances.
During a free consultation about divorce mediation, spouses can shift from having arguments to discussing solutions. This builds confidence that a peaceful divorce is possible.
Three tips for a more peaceful divorce mediation
What to bring to a free consultation about divorce mediation
Be sure to bring your spouse to the free consultation! Participation of both spouses is needed for divorce mediation to work.
What else should you bring?
- Some spouses bring a list of questions to ask. The free consultation is a good time to ask your questions about divorce and divorce mediation.
- Some spouses bring nothing at all. This is perfectly fine.
- No need to bring financial documents. While I will ask some general questions about property, debts, and income, you are not required to bring any financial documents to the free consultation.
What to expect at a free consultation about divorce mediation
Do I need my own lawyer for a mediation divorce?
How to sign in to Zoom meeting
You may test your device by signing in hours or days early!
Laptop or Desktop Computer:
- Make sure your camera and microphone are plugged in.
- Click on the Zoom link in the email that I sent.
- Follow the on-screen directions to open the Zoom app (which takes you to my online waiting room where you may test your camera and microphone).
- At the scheduled date/time I will admit you to our meeting.
Smart Phone
- Download the free Zoom app (may be called Zoom Workplace) from the App Store.
- Open the Zoom app on your phone and click "Join".
- Enter the Meeting ID (found in the email that I sent).
- At the scheduled date/time I will admit you to our meeting.
Dial In (audio only)
- Dial the phone number and meeting code (found in the email that I sent).
- At the scheduled date/time I will admit you to our meeting.
Talk to you soon!
Dann JohnsDivorce Mediator & Attorney