Avoid Flawed Divorce Mediation Consultation Models

There are a few mediators in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area who offer a "free consultation." I am one of them. Not all consultations -- free or paid -- are equal in quality. You should consider your readiness for mediation to make the best use of your 20-minute meet-and-greet or 90-minute introduction.

Free services can be very useful, but only if both sides -- the provider and the recipient -- have reasonable expectations. Too often, supposedly "free" services turn out to be of little value and result in wasted time and, ultimately, wasted money.

Having a "first hour free and then decide at the end whether to stay for a second hour and pay full price if you do" approach means two things: You won't be as prepared for the second hour, and you'll pay full price for it anyway.

The Problem

You deserve to get to know your mediator, and you shouldn't have to pay to figure out if someone is a good fit for you personally and in terms of communication. That's why I offer a free 20-minute meet-and-greet call via Zoom. I believe that you'll find me personable, competent, and focused on your needs, as clients have found throughout my 21 years of practice in suburban Portland.

I do not take up much, if any, of the time at your consultation explaining how mediation works, what my process consists of, what a mediation session is like, or how I can help your teen and preteen children. I have posted all of that online for you to review in advance. That way, the face-to-face time can be spent on clarifications and follow-up questions, not building from the ground floor.

The Better Alternative

When you entrust your mediation matter to me, you get my comprehensive skill set:

Law degree and 21 years of experience as a divorce mediator
Family Law Financial Analyst and creator of the 68-point Discovery-Driven Deep Dive (DDDD) and proprietary 43-point spousal support framework:
Parenting plan expert and creator of the 78-point Parenting and Custody Toolkit (PACT)
Teen-inclusive process with free services for pre-teens, teens, and young adults
Notary Public (Oregon)

My Comprehensive Services

If you would like to discuss how my mediation process can meet your needs, please contact me to schedule a consultation.

Next Steps

Matthew House J.D. | Divorce Mediation
3800 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Suite 271
Beaverton, OR 97005
(503) 643-5284
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Matthew House's practice is neutral, limited to divorce mediation and financial analysis. He holds a law degree but is not a member of the Oregon State Bar. No information provided on 503.legal constitutes legal advice. The use of this website does not form a mediator-client relationship.

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