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Divorce Mediation in Queens Brooklyn & New York City

A more respectful, lower-conflict way to end your marriage or partnership.


Divorce mediation is for couples who agree that the relationship is ending, but want to handle the process with as little damage as possible—emotionally, financially, and for any children involved. Instead of fighting it out in court, mediation gives you a neutral space to make clear, informed decisions together.

How Mediation Helps (Compared to Court or Lawyers Alone)

Divorce mediation is not a replacement for legal advice, and I do not act as your attorney. Instead, it’s a structured conversation guided by a neutral mediator—focused on problem-solving rather than “winning.”

Mediation can help you:

  • Talk through decisions in a calmer, more organized way

  • Understand each other’s priorities and concerns (even if you don’t agree)

  • Explore options you might not see when you’re stuck in conflict

  • Reduce the time, money, and emotional cost of your divorce

  • Create a clearer roadmap you can bring to your attorneys or to court

 

As your mediator, I:

  • Stay neutral and do not take sides

  • Help you identify all the key issues (property, money, parenting, logistics)

  • Keep the conversation respectful, structured, and forward-focused

  • Work with both of you to clarify terms you can live with, even if they’re not perfect

 

The goal isn’t to relitigate the past. The goal is to help you build a workable plan for the next chapter of your lives.

What to Expect in a Session

Format:

  • Sessions are typically 60 or 90 minutes

  • Available online and, in some cases, in person in Queens

  • You meet together in the same session; if helpful, there may be brief individual check-ins

 

First Session:

  • We review what brought you to mediation and what you each hope to accomplish

  • I outline the mediation process and boundaries (including confidentiality and my neutral role)

  • We identify the main areas that need decisions—such as housing, property, finances, and parenting

  • You’ll leave with a clear understanding of next steps and what information to gather (for example, account statements, mortgage info, or schedules)

 

Ongoing Sessions:

  • We work through each major topic in turn:

    • Property and assets

    • Debts and financial responsibilities

    • Parenting schedules and decision-making

    • Support (if applicable)

  • I help you break complex issues into smaller, more manageable decisions

  • When appropriate, we outline the terms you’ve agreed on in clear, plain language

  • You can then review these terms with your own attorneys or use them to prepare your legal documents with a para legal.

 

You stay in control of the pace. Some couples resolve things in a few sessions; others prefer more time to think, adjust, and revisit decisions.

What You Walk Away With

By the end of mediation, many couples leave with:

  • A clearer, shared understanding of the financial and practical picture

  • Agreements around property division, debt, and other financial responsibilities

  • A parenting plan or outline for how you’ll share time and decision-making for your children

  • A clear memorandum of understanding (MOU) summarizing your agreements, which you can take to a paralegal or your own attorney to complete the legal paperwork

  • Less unresolved resentment, because you’ve had space to be heard and understood

 

The aim is not a perfect outcome—it’s a workable one that both of you can move forward with.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the cost of mediation compare to hiring lawyers and going to court?
In most cases, mediation is significantly less expensive than a traditional, lawyer-driven divorce. In a court-based process, each of you usually hires your own attorney and pays separate hourly rates for calls, emails, negotiations, and appearances. Those costs can add up quickly—especially if conflict escalates.

In mediation, you share the cost of one neutral professional working with both of you together. Sessions are focused on problem-solving, which often reduces the total time and money you spend. My current mediation rate is $250 per hour, shared between both of you. You can still consult your own attorneys as needed, but mediation typically lowers the overall financial and emotional strain.

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Do we have to already agree on everything to use mediation?
No. You only need to agree that you want to resolve things outside of a courtroom. It’s normal to come into mediation with open questions, disagreements, or different ideas about what’s “fair.” Mediation helps you work through those details in a structured, guided way

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Do you give legal advice or file our divorce for us?
No. As a mediator, I do not provide legal advice or represent either of you. My role is to help you talk through your options, clarify your agreements, and put your decisions into clear, plain language. At the end of the process, I can draft a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that summarizes what you’ve agreed to in mediation.

From there, you have options: you can take the MOU to a paralegal service to prepare and file your paperwork, or you can work with your own attorney to review the terms and complete the legal filing process.

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Can we still use attorneys if we do mediation?
Yes. Many couples find it helpful to consult their own attorneys alongside mediation. You can use mediation to work through most of the decisions together, and then have your lawyers review or finalize the legal documents. Mediation and legal advice can work side by side.

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How many sessions will we need?
It depends on the complexity of your situation and how much you’ve already discussed. Some couples need only a few sessions to finalize terms; others prefer more time, especially when there are children, property, or complex finances involved. Early on, we’ll talk about your goals so you have a realistic sense of the likely timeline.

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What if things get too emotional or tense in the session?
Strong emotions are normal in divorce. My job is to keep the space calm, structured, and respectful. If things get heated, we can slow down, take a break, or reset the ground rules. The goal is not to avoid emotion, but to keep it from taking over the conversation so you can still make clear, forward-focused decisions.

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