Divorce & Parenting Mediation
Focused on Your Children and Your Peace of Mind
When family relationships change, going to court can feel overwhelming. Heart Centered Mediation helps parents work through divorce mediation and parenting plan mediation in private, with respect, and with their children’s stability in mind.
There is a calmer way forward.
You Don’t Have to Let a Judge Decide Your Family’s Future
Whether you’re navigating a divorce or trying to update a parenting plan that no longer fits your life, family mediation offers a calmer way forward.
Going to court can make conflicts worse, drain your resources, and leave you feeling powerless, especially when you're trying to do what is best for your children.
Mediation gives you a better option — mediation instead of court. You make the decisions, and it helps create lasting stability for your children.
We help parents have difficult conversations with care, structure, and respect. Our goal is to help you move forward while protecting your important relationships.
Our Approach
Family Conflict Doesn’t Have to Escalate
When families are stressed, even small disagreements can seem bigger than they really are, and conversations may fall apart more quickly than anyone expects.
Mediation offers another way. It helps slow things down and keeps the focus on what really matters.
At Heart Centered Mediation, we help parents move past blame and strict demands. We guide you to understand each other’s concerns and work together on solutions that protect your children and build a more stable future.
Before joint mediation, we offer an Individual Private Session (IPS). This step matters because when emotions are running high, it’s not always easy to think clearly. In this one-on-one meeting, each parent has a private space to share concerns, clarify goals, and reduce stress.
Listen and be heard
We use a thoughtful and consistent approach to help parents communicate, even when emotions are strong.
In mediation, we help keep conversations centered on what needs to be resolved, rather than who’s at fault. This way, conversations stay productive, even when they’re difficult. The goal is not to “win,” but to reach agreements that feel fair and workable for everyone.
You will not get a one-size-fits-all solution. Your agreement is shaped around your family’s specific needs and priorities.
create agreements that last
When children are involved, it’s important that the agreements created through mediation are durable, so children can rely on consistency, predictability, and routines as they grow.
No agreement is perfect, but mediation helps families create solutions that last. The agreements you make are meant to be practical and dependable as you move ahead.
We want to help you find balance, stay out of court when possible, and set up a strong foundation for your family’s future.
A Thoughtful Alternative to Court
Families who go through legal battles often feel drained and unheard. Mediation can help by offering a clearer, more efficient process than court, supporting lasting stability for families.
If you want a process that values your time, resources, and relationships, mediation may be the right choice. Many families choose mediation not because it’s easy, but because it helps them protect what matters most to them.
Our Mediation Process
A clear, supportive process designed to reduce stress and help families move forward
Our Mediation Services
Family & Divorce
We help parents and families through divorce mediation, parenting plans, and other tough changes. Our focus is on privacy, respectful communication, and lasting stability.
Other Mediation Services
Insurance & Real Estate
Insurance claims, property damage, commission disputes, or real estate transactions
Landlord & Tenant
Lease issues, security deposits, property damage, or termination concerns
Agriculture
Land leases, farm succession, neighbor boundaries, or lending matters
Neighbor to Neighbor
Disputes about noise, boundaries, barking dogs, or shared spaces
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about family mediation and what to expect
Do we have to agree on everything for mediation to work?
No, you don’t have to agree on everything. Many parents use mediation to resolve just some issues. Even a partial agreement can help reduce conflict and limit what the court needs to decide.
What if communication between us has been difficult?
That’s very common. Mediation helps keep conversations on track and productive, even if communication has been hard before.
Most sessions start with everyone together in the same virtual room. Sometimes, parents meet in separate rooms, and the mediator goes back and forth. At any time, a parent can ask for a private breakout room.
The goal is always to create a setting where progress can happen without unnecessary tension.
Do we need attorneys to participate in mediation?
You don’t need an attorney to take part in mediation, but you can talk to one at any time. Some parents get legal advice before and/or after mediation.
The mediator stays neutral and does not take sides. They do not act as an attorney or a judge, nor do they give legal advice or make decisions for anyone. Mediation is a guided conversation, not a decision handed down. The mediator’s role is to help parents talk things through and reach agreements that work for both sides.
Is mediation required by the court?
Sometimes, the court may require mediation before a hearing. Even if it’s not required, many parents choose mediation because it lets them keep things private and lets them make their own decisions.
What if mediation doesn’t work?
Mediation doesn’t always solve everything. Still, it often helps clear up issues, reduce conflict, and limit what the court needs to decide.
How is mediation different from going to court?
Mediation is private and focused on finding solutions. Parents work together, with support, to make agreements that fit their family’s needs. You are the decision makers.
Rather than being told what the outcome will be, mediation provides a safe space to brainstorm, explore options, and work through ideas together. The goal is to find balanced, reasonable solutions that both parents can live with.
In court, a judge makes the decisions. They know and care less about your case than you do. Judges look at the facts and apply the law. Parents can share their views, but ultimately, they tell you what the answer is.
How do we get started?
The first step is a free 15-minute consultation. This call gives you a brief overview and a chance to ask questions, share a little about your situation, and see if mediation is a good fit.
If you decide to move forward, you’ll have time later to go deeper and get ready for mediation.