Work With Me @ Candace Smyth

Let’s Get This Right, Together

I work with couples with children in the DC metro area who struggle with the strains of legal and financial issues complicated by the divorce process and would like to get divorced as quickly as possible, less expensively and in a healing way through mediation.

What separates my service from other mediators and family law attorneys is that I limit the mediation sessions to two weeks, charge by the session (no large retainer) and guide the couple through a mindful, healing process so that they walk out with a divorce agreement and a reformed relationship through with they can lovingly and effectively co-parent their kids after divorce.

Would you like to know more?

Are you -

a parent with children that has just decided or whose spouse has just decided to divorce? You are struggling with legal and financial concerns right now. Truly struggling to get a grasp on it all. Your marriage has fallen apart. You are exhausted emotionally. You don’t want the divorce to take a long time, to drag out for months or years (as you have heard others talk about of their own divorces), you just really want it over. You also don’t have the money or want to hire two lawyers to go through the litigation process. You don’t want the children to suffer anymore. And, you don’t want the divorce to drain you financially. You know that you and your spouse will need to continue some kind of relationship after divorce so that you can co-parent lovingly and effectively, but you wonder if that is going to be possible.

Are you struggling with -

how to think straight? You are overwhelmed with all you have to do, and feel like you need a break. You need to slow down and figure out how to solve the divorce issues so that it is concluded and also look at the issues behind the general unhappiness and fatigue in your life. You need a new game plan and a plan to help with the new family dynamics that are being created now as you divorce. You are worried about your kids and how they are going to be through this process and after the divorce. You are having a very difficult time communicating with your spouse. Although you try, you are not taking very good care of yourself.

What You Need Most Right Now -

Your primary focus is on creating an effective and agreed upon divorce agreement and co-parenting plan. You want to settle the divorce in the most amicable way possible. You want the best co-parenting and financial plan possible with the specific needs and concerns of you, your spouse and kids taken into account. You need clarity on what it is you need most right now. You would like to feel calm, secure and decisive in the divorce process. You would like a creative and healing process as opposed to a divisive and adversarial one.

Why Choose Mediation with Me?

I not only know how to help you reach an agreement that works for you and your family, I am trained in healing modalities to help calm the emotions, ease the tension throughout our sessions together.

My goal is not for you to walk away with a divorce agreement, but instead to walk away feeling good about yourself, your decision, and your future with that agreement.

I believe the adversarial system is not the right place to end a marriage.

I believe healing needs to be, must be, part of the divorce process.

There are always points of view, “sides” so to speak, but the goal is to go behind the point of view. I believe in teasing out the triggers that usually get us arguing, the thought behind the emotion, to be aware so that negotiation can actually occur.

Mediation Services

I provide mediation in Washington, DC for couples living in the metro DC area or willing to travel here to get it done. I specialize in divorce or termination of relationships in which children are involved. I also provide services for other family issues, including:

Mediation for Separation and Divorce
Comprehensive marital settlement agreements
Temporary separation agreements
Post-divorce dispute resolution
Child support recalculations
Parenting plans or dispute resolution for unmarried parents
Special issues affecting gay and lesbian couples

Mediation for Other Family Matters
Pre-nuptial agreements
Estate disputes

As with everything I do, my mediation process is mindful. I am intuitively aware of what is behind your’s and your partners emotions and desires with regard to the divorce process. I believe you should not walk out of the divorce process feeling drained and even worse than you felt walking into it. The mediation process should serve you, your partner and your family so that you all can heal and move on in the best way possible. I not only have the legal and mediation skills to guide you, I am trained in ayurveda, yoga and other healing modalities. I shepherd you through this portal so that you can thrive in all aspects of your new life.

Call me for an initial consultation at (202) 587-2772 or by email candace at candacesmyth dot com if you are interested in mediation services.