FIRST CONSIDER THE TYPE OF SERVICE YOU NEED.

This may help you decide what degree of services will help you the most.

1. The Parents Forever Class: We suggest that you take the class only if co parenting is going well or if mediation is not a viable option because of domestic altercation or geographical distance. We also suggest the class if you proceeding with an uncontested or "friendly" divorce where no further assistance is needed.

2. Combined education/mediation processes: We suggest that you consider a combined process if the court is likely to require a mediation process in addition to the requirement of divorce or co parenting education.

We suggest the combined divorce process if you are proceeding with a contested divorce or if you are proceeding through a divorce without the assistance of legal counsel.  It will provide you with much needed support and assistance.

We suggest the combined co parenting process if parenting time is not happening or if there are multiple issues that are causing increasing difficulties. We also suggest the combined process if co parenting coaching would be helpful.

The combined co parenting process is best suited for unmarried parents in conflict over parenting time or post decree co parenting issues where no financial negotiations are involved.

3.  Hourly mediation: We suggest hourly mediation only if there is only one issue that needs to be addressed or if there are uncomplicated dynamics.  It is also suggested for financial or post divorce decree issues.

4. Low Income Parents: We will work with any parent that falls within the poverty guidelines and is not represented by a retained attorney in tailoring a program that will meet the needs of the family.  We cannot waive fees, but we can adjust the way a program is delivered or we can make some adjustments in the fees to give you some kind of financial break. We will do the best we can to help you receive needed services.

Parents Forever Classes

To help you better understand the class materials, we request that you read the articles in "Tips" on our website and visit "Helpful Links" before the class. It may also shorten the conflict resolution class if all class participants read the articles.  However, no web course work is required to complete certification.

• $80
• $40 - Reduced fee for Legal Aid clients (Fees are not waived for Legal Aid recipients)

2010 Class Schedule: We are piloting a one class format on one Saturday every month from 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Please bring your own snacks, beverages or a bag lunch.

If the class potentially has an effect on your parenting time, it is advised that you contact the other parent as soon as possible to adjust your parenting time schedule so you can attend without missing precious parenting time.  If verification is needed by the other parent that you are scheduled to attend, they may call the office for verification of your registration.

• February 13 - 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• March 13 - 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• April 10 - 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• May 8- 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• June 5 - 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• July 10- 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• August 14- 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• September 11- 8:30 a.m. 2:00 p.m.
• October 9 - 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• November 13 - 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• December 11 - 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Where: Hibbing Grace Lutheran Church, 4010 9th Avenue West, Hibbing, MN.

Directions: (Highway 169 in Hibbing heading towards Grand Rapids) Turn right at stop lights across from Kentucky Fried Chicken and right before Lowe's.  The Mann Theater is next to Lowe's and the Grace Lutheran Church where the class is held is across the street.There is a lit sign in front of the building. Please do not use the double doors.  Use the front entrance on the east side of the building (also the daycare entrance) and follow the signs on the wall to the meeting room.

Pre-registration is required. You may register by emailing me or by telephone at 218-263-7307. If you register by email, please provide:

(1) Your name;(2) Your telephone number; (3) Your address; (4) The name of the other party;  (5) The name of your attorney; (5) Indicate whether you have an objection to the other party attending the same class or not.

Please indicate if there are any restrictions for contact, such as an order for protection, which will prevent you from attending the same class.

Payment is due on the day of the class. Cash only, please.

Many parents attend the same class with the other parent.  However, if you are requesting that the other party not attend the same class please inform us at the time of registration.  If there is a history of domestic abuse or an Order for Protection in place with the other party please inform us during the intake process. Thank you.

No children, please.  Please arrange for child care.

Mediation Services

We offer two choices for mediation services: hourly mediation and capped fee services. We accept Visa and Mastercard for mediation services only.

• We recommend capped fee processes for divorces with children, single parent co parenting issues, custody, parenting time and post decree co parenting issues.
• We recommend hourly mediation for financial issues or divorces that do not involve minor children.

Hourly mediation fees: $80 per hour - per parent   

Capped fee services: The capped fee alternatives are educationally based and are not charged on an hourly basis. It results in the equivalent of a lower hourly fees.  Mediating on a capped fee basis allows clients enough time to work through all child-related issues without worrying about how much it is going to cost.  It helps parents financially prepare for the cost of needed services.

Combining education into the mediation process is the most effective means for addressing child-related issues such as parenting time and custody.

Advantages of Capped Fee Alternatives

• Capped fee alternatives save time and money!
• They have the highest success rate.
• Parents are able to make better informed decisions with the support of an educational process.

Parents complete court mandated divorce educational requirements at the same time as resolving the issues. Combining education with mediation lowers defenses and encourages cooperative negotiation processes.

• Statistically, only 25-35% of separated parents are able to establish protective co parenting parameters around children without intervention services.
• The educationally based mediation processes have a 14 year success history of approximately 90% in resolving parenting time issues.

*Fees assessed on a per parent basis

(Capped fee services includes Parents Forever certification upon completion.)

(1) Full divorce - $500 per parent

This alternative provides parents with full divorce negotiations and meets the court mandated divorce education at the same time as addressing issues.  Most parents complete the process in approximately 9-10 hours and is completed in three sessions.  Certification for Parents Forever is provided once the educational material is completed.

The program includes court approved Parents Forever, formal drafting of parenting plan and memorandums, financial negotiations; addresses child support, custodial language, parenting time schedules, and all major decisions regarding children.

(2) Parenting time - $300 per parent

Most parents complete this process in six hours and is completed in two sessions. Certification for Parents Forever is provided after two sessions are completed. It may allow for some very limited financial discussion regarding child support calculations.

The Formal Parenting Plan: (All formal drafting is done at the time of negotiations.  This provides opportunity for both parents to have direct input into any drafted documents.)

• The formal parenting plan places necessary protective components around children when parents are divorcing or separating.
• It places the educational material into writing so it can be readily accessed when future issues arise.

The parenting plan outlines agreements on child-related decisions, including but not limited to, physical and legal custody, parenting time parameters, safety concerns, alcohol or drug concerns, transportation issues, medical emergency processes, holiday and vacation time, education and religion, extracurricular activities, and child care.

Variations: Parents may decide on attending the class and hourly mediation if they feel it makes financial sense.  We suggest that you weigh out the costs and decide what degree of services you need.  We will make suggestions to you upon intake and registration that will provide you the most service for the least amount of money.

Dissolution of Marriage Drafting Services

Upon request, we provide divorce document drafting services (See below).  Proceeding in this fashion is only recommended when both parties are in full agreement and there are not any complicated legal issues, such as, division of large business assets. This is a drafting service only and is not a substitute for legal advice.

Other Services:

Dissolution document drafting assistance: $200 per party