• What is the cost of mediation? The mediator's fee will be set forth on the Agreement for Mediation. This amount is usually divided between the parties, either equally or in proportion to their respective incomes. Checks, Visa and Mastercard are accepted.

• How long does it take to mediate an agreement? The time necessary to mediate the terms that will be incorporated into the final written agreement is estimated at 6 to 8 hours - less if the issues are uncomplicated or the parties have reached agreement on many issues prior to mediation - more if the issues are complex or if the level of conflict between the parties is high.

• Can you describe the mediation process? The goal is to reach a final written agreement that will incorporate all of the understandings reached by the parties with regard to all issues that need to be addressed. To that end the mediator acts to guide the parties through a multi-step process of identifying the issues in dispute, gathering the information necessary to intelligently address those issues, and seeking out options which meet the needs and interests of both parties.

• What issues are normally resolved in mediation? Legal and residential custody, child support, visitation, allocation of college expenses for the children, health insurance, life insurance, public/private schooling, religious upbringing, relocation from the area, grandparent and sibling visitation, spousal support (alimony), disposition of the family home, allocation between the parties of "marital property" accumulated during the marriage including real estate, automobiles and other vehicles, furniture and household furnishings, bank accounts, investment accounts, and pension and retirement assets, payment of debts, and tax matters including decisions relative to filing joint or separate income tax returns and claiming the children as dependency exemptions. A detailed "Checklist of Issues for Mediation" will be provided to help you identify matters of concern that may need to be addressed during the mediation process.

• Is the mediator bound by any standards of professional conduct? Yes, the mediator adheres to the Standards of Practice for Professional Family Mediators published by the Academy of Professional Family Mediators.
  Who prepares the written agreement? Once the parties have reached agreement the mediator will prepare a draft written Marital Settlement Agreement that the parties will then take to their respective attorneys for review, fine tuning and approval.

• Can the mediator represent the parties? No. The mediator must remain neutral throughout the mediation process and thereafter and cannot provide legal services or advice to either or both parties. The mediator cannot represent either party or both of the parties in the divorce proceeding or in any other legal matter at any time in the future.

• Do I need an attorney? Yes. While the mediator may offer suggestions and options to consider with respect to settlement, and may suggest possible outcomes if the matter goes to trial before a judge, the mediator is not permitted to give legal advice to the parties and the parties must not take anything that the mediator says as legal advice. The clients are strongly encouraged to employ their individual attorneys to review the final written agreement before it is signed. Many attorneys will work with you on anhourly basis and only charge for the time necessary to read the agreement and provide input into your decisions.

• What if I do not have an attorney? We can refer you to a competent family law attorney who is sensitive to the cooperative spirit of mediation and who can advise you on your legal rights and responsibilities under Maryland law.

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