Divorce Without Lawyers

Soon after starting her family-law practice more than twenty years ago, Amy Creech realized many people did not know they had choices when it came to how they divorced. People wanted to divorce in a way that fit their changing lifestyles and kept them out of the courtroom. Amy received extensive training in various forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to help her clients avoid the cost and pain of contested divorce. Amy and her former partner, Dinah Rhodes, still felt like the ADR process invited unnecessary conflict— so they designed their own process to fit their clients’ needs. “Divorce Without Lawyers” is a collaborative process based on their years of experience as trial attorneys, mediators, and collaborative professionals. 

Is Mediation Right for You?

We want mediation to be a successful and satisfying process for every couple. Successful mediation is often dependent on the participants, and it’s important to consider whether or not the process is right for you. Couples will get the most out of mediation if you:

  • Want to keep full control over your decisions and settlement agreement, but want help identifying issues and coming up with solutions from an unbiased, experienced professional.

  • Are both in agreement about wanting a divorce. If you want a divorce but your spouse doesn’t, consider other options before mediation.

  • Are both ready to start the divorce process. If you’re thinking about divorce but don’t plan on starting the divorce process for another six months or more, it’s probably not the right time for mediation.

  • Are both willing to voluntarily attend and actively participate in divorce mediation. If one party wants to mediate but the other does not, you should explore other options.

  • Are both of sound mind and have the capacity to think, reason and understand for him/herself.

  • Are willing to be honest and transparent with each other and the mediator.

  • Have no history of substance abuse.

  • Have no history of domestic violence/spousal abuse.

*We reserve the right to reject clients if it seems mediation is not a viable option.

The Process

Divorce Without Lawyers is a totally radical mediation method developed by Amy Creech and Dinah Rhodes. Traditional mediation often pits former spouses against each other. In the Divorce Without Lawyers process parties work together to set their agenda, sit at the same table instead of waiting in separate rooms while their lawyers negotiate for them, and receive equal counsel from a trained mediator. Both parties are welcome to hire their own separate lawyers to supplement mediation.

Divorce Without Lawyers isn’t right for everyone: it works best in cases where divorce is amicable, and both parties are ready and willing to work together. If this sounds like you, sign up for a FREE initial consultation to learn more!

  • Call Us

    The process begins with a phone call to schedule a FREE initial appointment for both parties to meet with the mediator.

  • Initial Consult

    The mediator will meet with you both for an hour to discuss the process in detail, answer questions, and determine if Divorce Without Lawyers is right for you.

  • Mediation For You

    The mediation process will continue in three-hour sessions until either an agreement is reached or you come to an impasse. Everything is under your control, so the length and results of mediation are up to you and your spouse.