Portland Oregon Divorce Mediation Free Consultation
Mediator Matthew House offers two options to begin:
- A 90-minute introduction for $123; the first hour is free (see the link for details)
The Best Introductory Format for Your Needs
- The 30-minute meet-and-greet is free of charge.
- The entire first hour is free of charge if you opt for the 90-minute introduction.
- You’ll be acquainted with the basics of the process before you even arrive. You won’t have to find out during your consultation time, as some other mediators approach it. In fact, the information about my mediation process and its components are already online for you to review whenever you prefer.
- You meet the one person who will be helping you with all aspects of your mediation. Although a “team” approach seems helpful, here’s why it isn’t.
- You will be able to get into the details of your case right away. It is introductory but not merely preparatory. Although we will not attempt to resolve issues at the introduction, we will identify them and ensure that there is a path to resolution. You will not simply be given "homework." You will actually get something valuable.
- There are no one-on-one conversations. All of your communication with me will take place in the other party’s presence. This gives you confidence in my objectivity and the transparency of the process, while not depriving you of your right to express individual concerns. A mediator having an initial conversation with only one party -- even if only briefly -- is a breach of trust and is, therefore, inexcusable. I have never done so in my 21 years of practice, and I can't imagine that I will ever consider it appropriate to do so.
- None of your paid time is wasted. The discussion in the second 30-minute block reveals the next steps, your pre-mediation to-do list, and a roadmap for the process. I have prepared materials to provide to you as soon as the discussion identifies the needs.
- For each component that applies to your case, you will receive a link to concise information about what the topic means in divorce, the most common ways to address it, the basic information you need to provide, and any additional information or documents you may need, based on whether and to what extent the topic is disputed. As a result, the last 30 minutes (the only time you actually pay for) will be fully focused on your needs.
Next Steps
- Both parties must attend the meet-and-greet or introduction. The consultations are provided free of charge or at a discounted fee because they usually result (90% of the time) in both parties agreeing to begin divorce mediation with me. It is less likely that both parties will agree to mediate if only one has attended.
- Until you become my mediation clients by signing an Agreement to Mediate and paying your initial mediation fees, I cannot answer any questions specific to your case or entertain any hypothetical scenarios about how the issues in your case might be resolved.
- In your consultation agreement, to be signed prior to the consultation, you will confirm that you have a family law matter (divorce, separation, or modification of a prior judgment) in process or that you intend to begin within 30 days. If you are not ready to proceed in the near future, please wait to schedule a consultation until you are ready.