You decide.
Participation is voluntary. Even if you are ordered to mediate, you cannot be forced to agree to anything, you may withdraw at any time, and you may have an attorney represent you throughout.
The mediation approach
A conversation. Not a contest.
Mediation gives you a place to work through disagreements with a neutral guide, while keeping the decisions in your hands.
What makes it different
Less about winning. More about what works.
Most of us want to avoid conflict, but it is part of life. Mediation is a voluntary, confidential way to resolve disagreements outside the courtroom. Instead of asking a judge to decide, you work with a trained, impartial mediator (often an attorney) to communicate, understand each other, and look for an agreement that works for both of you.
Meg does not represent either party or provide legal advice. Her role is to guide the discussion, help gather information, identify the issues, and generate options.
Both voices matter.
There is space to explain your concerns, hear another perspective, and work toward understanding.
A confidential setting.
What is discussed in mediation generally cannot be used in court or shared outside the process, except in certain instances involving fraud, child abuse or threats of harm. You may also choose to keep your agreement confidential.
Room for practical solutions.
With the exception of child support, you are free to think outside the box of the law and create arrangements that fit your family, with flexibility for the changes ahead.
The decisions ahead
Space for what matters most.
Separation & divorce
A changing relationship involves more than one decision. Mediation offers a structured way to identify the issues, understand each other’s concerns, and work toward an agreement. In Maryland, a signed agreement that resolves all issues can support a mutual consent divorce.
Parenting & custody
Most parents worry about how their decisions will affect their children. While you may no longer be married or partners, you are still parents. Mediation helps you plan parenting time, communication, and shared rules so children feel loved and welcome in both homes, with room to adapt as they grow.
Financial matters
Discuss financial issues as part of your separation, divorce, or family changes. Sharing information and considering options can help you make informed decisions with advice from your own professionals.
Why families choose it
The benefits of mediation.
Control over the outcome. You and the other party shape the resolution, instead of litigating and letting a judge decide.
Cost-effective. Mediation is generally less expensive than going to court.
Time-efficient. You can move as quickly as your schedules and information allow, rather than waiting on the court’s calendar.
Preserves relationships. Sharing concerns, hearing each other, and listening with empathy builds the communication that co-parenting depends on.
Creative, flexible solutions. Agreements can reflect your family’s real needs and the stages of a child’s development, not only strict application of the law.
How it works
A structure for moving forward.
All sessions take place via Zoom. Most cases resolve in two or three two-hour sessions, though the number depends on the issues and your progress.
Start with a conversation.
Meg explains the process, sets expectations, and gives each person an opportunity to be heard.
Work through what matters.
Gather information and explore the issues together. Meg guides the discussion and may meet with each person separately if helpful.
Put agreement into words.
When you reach an agreement, Meg can prepare Points of Agreement to record it, so you can review it with your own attorney and have a Marital Settlement Agreement prepared for your signature.
Mediation does not guarantee an agreement. When an agreement is reached, Meg can prepare Points of Agreement documenting the results, which can then be used to draft a Marital Settlement Agreement. Once signed, that agreement becomes a legally binding contract. Consult your own attorney about your rights and any agreement before signing.
Read a little more
Helpful starting points.
Explore general information about mediation from these Maryland resources. For advice about your own circumstances, consult your attorney.
A first step, not a commitment
Let’s find a starting point.
Have questions about mediation? Reach out to Meg to talk about what comes next.