Do we each need our own lawyer?
A mediator can't advise either of you. Here is when a lawyer helps, and the three moments to bring one in.
You don't need a lawyer to mediate. Many people do it without one, and some do well. But the choice is worth making on purpose, not by default.
What I can and cannot do
I am a lawyer, but in a session I'm a neutral. I can explain how a process works and what a form asks for. I can't tell either of you what a court would do, what to give up, or whether an offer is fair. That would be taking a side.
Three moments to bring a lawyer in
- Before the first session, to learn your rights and what you can ask for
- Between sessions, when a term raises a question you can't answer
- Before you sign, to read the written agreement
If only one of you has a lawyer
It happens. I'll make sure the talk stays even, and I'll encourage the other person to at least have the agreement read before they sign it.
What it costs
A lawyer's fee is separate from mine and is paid by the person who hires them. Mediation itself is billed by the hour at a rate quoted in writing, split evenly unless you agree on something else.