Affirming, Affordable, and Fair: Why Mediation Is a Better Divorce Option for LGBTQ+ Families
For many LGBTQ+ couples, the idea of walking into a courtroom—or even a traditional law office—to navigate a divorce or custody issue feels not just intimidating, but unsafe. Legal systems weren’t built with queer families in mind. Too often, they reflect the history of our society—not its growth or present reality.
At Thresholds Mediation, we believe you deserve more than just a legal process. You deserve a process that sees you, respects your values, and gives you the freedom to move forward without sacrificing your dignity—or your financial stability.
Why Many LGBTQ+ Families Don’t Trust the Legal System
Even now—and especially in this political moment—LGBTQ+ people navigating divorce face real risks:
Judges who may misunderstand chosen family, shared parenting, or nontraditional financial arrangements
Courtrooms where queer identity is often disregarded, dignity isn’t guaranteed, and privacy can be lost
Law offices that try to fit LGBTQ+ families into a rigid, outdated definition of “normal”
These systems weren’t built with queer families in mind—and too often, they still fail to serve us with fairness, safety, or understanding.
What Makes Mediation Different
Mediation offers a private, collaborative alternative to traditional divorce. For LGBTQ+ families, this can be not only safer, but more equitable and affirming.
Here’s what sets it apart:
Centered on respect, not conflict: Mediation avoids the combative, win-or-lose mindset that often increases stress, cost, and harm.
Queer-inclusive by design: At Thresholds, we celebrate the complexity of LGBTQ+ families—including chosen family, shared parenting, and non-binary caregiving roles.
Private: What you share in mediation stays confidential.
More affordable: Traditional divorce can cost $6,000–$10,000 per person. Our rate is $300 per hour total—not per party.
Flexible and accessible: Mediation sessions happen over Zoom—on your terms, in your time.
Who It Works Best For
Unrepresented mediation works especially well for LGBTQ+ couples who:
Want to transition out of their marriage with dignity, even if they are in open conflict
Are willing to show up, speak honestly, and keep trying to find common ground
Want to protect their kids from unhealthy conflict, confusion, or escalation
Feel misunderstood or diminished in traditional court settings
Want to avoid spending $10,000 or more to navigate a divorce that could be handled collaboratively
Mediation doesn’t require perfect agreement—or even emotional harmony. It simply requires a shared willingness to try. Some couples come in still in deep disagreement; what matters is that both parties are committed to working toward resolution.
While Thresholds Mediation specializes in unrepresented processes, we are happy to work with clients who choose to bring attorneys into the process. We believe that unrepresented mediation is a useful and empowering option for many families, but we also respect that some clients benefit from legal support.
Thresholds does not provide legal advice, and the mediator does not represent either party. Instead, we provide a structured, confidential process designed to help you make clear, informed decisions—together.
What Happens After Mediation?
At Thresholds, you’ll leave with a binding, signed mediation agreement that reflects the decisions and commitments you’ve made together. This agreement is the result of a structured process built to support clear thinking and mutual resolution.
During mediation, we use a general checklist to ensure you’ve addressed all the key issues that most attorneys need to file an uncontested divorce. That doesn’t mean every issue will appear in your final agreement—some may be irrelevant, and others not in dispute. The goal is clarity, not excess.
An uncontested divorce is something you should be able to file yourself in every state—but the process can vary widely. Even within a single state or county, filing requirements may differ from judge to judge or courthouse to courthouse.
Many couples choose to hire a flat-fee attorney to review and file their paperwork, simply to ensure everything is completed correctly the first time. That legal review can be a smart investment—especially when it builds on the clarity, dignity, and shared decision-making that mediation has already provided.
You Deserve a Divorce Process That Reflects Your Values
Mediation gives you room to breathe, space to speak, and the chance to honor what you’ve built—even as you transition into something new. If the courtroom doesn’t feel safe, and the legal system wasn’t built with you in mind, you still have options.
Thresholds Mediation is a queer-owned, queer-affirming practice grounded in respect, clarity, and compassion. We’re here to help you move forward—on your terms.
Ready to Talk?
We offer a free 30-minute consultation so you can ask questions, explore the process, and decide if mediation is right for you. There’s no pressure—just a supportive place to begin.