Mediation and Early Neutral Evaluation Services

Alyssha, while maintaining her role as a neutral to both parties, can offer feedback on how a court may see an issue, and will work hard with the parties to try to brainstorm settlement options that work for your family. 

While a court is limited in what it can order, Alyssha has found that parents are signficantly more satisfied when they are able to maintain self-determination over what the future of their co-parenting relationship may look like. Mediation offers parents the opportunity to work out schedules that are appropriate for your family outside of the traditional 5/2/2/5, 3/2/2/3, or 5/14 schedules a court is likely to offer.

Alyssha will never attempt to force parents to settle, but appreciates that mediation, though a not insignificant expense, is preferable to a drawn-out trial that will serve to increase conflict between co-parents and potentially cost thousands of dollars as well as a hefty emotional tax. 

Social Early Neutral Evaluations (SENEs) are a service that involves two providers, typically a lawyer and a mental health professional, listening to both parents' stories and then providing recommendations as to custody labels, parenting time schedules, and services a parent may need to participate in to address mental health or substance use concerns. After delivering their recommendations, the evaluators work with the parties to reach a settlement, if possible. The purpose of a SENE is to provide parents with recommendations based on what the evaluators believe a court is likely to suggest while taking into account the unique situation of your family.

In order to be on the Minnesota Roster of Rule 114 Social Early Neutral Evaluation providers, a provider must have been working with high-conflict families for at least 5 years, take a 40-hour family law mediation course, and then take an additional early neutral evaluation training. Then, the provider must shadow other SENE providers before qualifying for the roster.

Alyssha is happy to partner with mental health professionals to provide this service, and can recommend co-evaluators if so needed. While the process has historically attempted to use one male and one female evaluator, Alyssha recognizes that not all families have a traditional mother and father, and is open to teaming up with other professionals in a way that makes sense to your family.