Resources for Navigating Divorce, Separation, Parenting Plans, Custody, Couples’ Conflict, and Co-Parenting
Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania, and Polk Counties
The Mediation Center works primarily with community conflicts. We do not provide mediation for divorce, separation, custody, parenting plans, couples’ conflict, or co-parenting. This guide connects you with other organizations and professionals who may be able to help.
Getting Started
If you are starting to learn about the process of getting a divorce or separating from someone you have children with, mediation may not be the best first step. Mediators cannot give legal advice or provide support in navigating the legal processes involved in divorce, separation, and custody matters. You can learn more about this process on your own, or an attorney can help you navigate.
Learning More about divorce on your own
You can read about how divorce and separation work on the NC Courts website.
The North Carolina Divorce Packet provides information about how to file for absolute divorce.
Consulting with a family law attorney
Some people hesitate to talk to an attorney because they do not want to engage in an adversarial process. If you are getting divorced, and especially if you have children, it is generally a good idea to talk to an attorney anyway. An attorney can help you navigate legal processes and protect your interests.
Family law attorneys have helped many people work through divorce and separation and can provide advice about navigating the process in a way that aligns with your goals. Talk to a few different attorneys so you can find one who will support your goals.
Many people worry that talking with a lawyer may be too expensive. This is not always the case. Attorneys can give you an idea of what their services will cost during an initial consultation. Some attorneys offer a la carte or hourly pricing so that you can get their help just when you need it.
If you need help finding an attorney, you can use North Carolina Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service.
safety
If there has been abuse or violence in your relationship, mediation may not be safe and can increase the risk of further harm. Contact your local domestic violence organization for support.
- Transylvania County: SAFE
Some people who have experienced domestic or family violence may qualify to receive representation or legal advice from Pisgah Legal Services.
Staying together or splitting up
If your goal is to work out issues in the relationship so that you can stay together or if you disagree about splitting up, it may be best to find a couple’s counselor.
If you don’t have insurance or your co-pay is too expensive, you can contact:
Custody mediation in the courts
When the court issues an order for mediation of child custody matters, or if you have a pending custody action in the courts, you can access custody mediators who work for the court in your county. Custody mediation through the courts is free. You may also be able to hire a private mediator to help with custody conversations.
For more information, contact the Family Court in your county:
- Buncombe County: (828) 259-3415
- Henderson County: (828) 694-4100
- Transylvania County: (828) 885-3000
- Polk County: (828) 894-4900
parenting plans and access to children
If you need to create or modify a parenting plan, it’s often best to speak first with a family law attorney. Then, consider finding a family mediator who has training and experience with creating parenting plans. The North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission certifies Family Financial Mediators, many of whom also have experience with parenting plans. You can view a list of mediators willing to provide services—remotely or in person—in Buncombe or Henderson, Transylvania, and Polk Counties.
You can also visit the North Carolina Association for Professional Family Mediators to search for a suitable mediator.
If you are a non-custodial parent seeking access to your children, you may qualify for North Carolina’s Access and Visitation Program. The program can provide parent education and legal information about the court process as well as make referrals to community services.
Child Support
You can contact the Child Support Enforcement office in your county for information on setting up child support or help with missed payments.
Complex financial Assets/liabilities
If you and the other person have complex assets and liabilities such as real estate, retirement accounts, and co-owned businesses, it is best to find a certified Family Financial Settlement mediator who has experience in these areas.
You can view a list of mediators willing to provide services—remotely or in person—in Buncombe or Henderson, Transylvania, and Polk Counties.
Choosing a mediator
Anyone in North Carolina can call themselves a mediator. It is recommended that you select a mediator who has formal mediation training, as well as experience mediating the type of conflict at hand. Consider choosing a certified mediator, who is accountable to ethical standards and rules for practice.
It is appropriate to call mediators to ask about their training and experience. Mediators charge various fees for their services, and outside of the custody mediation program offered by the courts, there are no free mediation resources for divorce, separation, custody, parenting plans, custody, couples’ conflict, or co-parenting. Ask mediators about their fees upfront.
Additionally, The North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission publishes a Guide to Selecting a Mediator.
Resources for Family Mediation
Resources for Navigating Divorce, Separation, Parenting Plans, Custody, Couples’ Conflict, and Co-Parenting
Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania, and Polk Counties
The Mediation Center works primarily with community conflicts. We do not provide mediation for divorce, separation, custody, parenting plans, couples’ conflict, or co-parenting. This guide connects you with other organizations and professionals who may be able to help.
Getting Started
If you are starting to learn about the process of getting a divorce or separating from someone you have children with, mediation may not be the best first step. Mediators cannot give legal advice or provide support in navigating the legal processes involved in divorce, separation, and custody matters. You can learn more about this process on your own, or an attorney can help you navigate.
Learning More about divorce on your own
You can read about how divorce and separation work on the NC Courts website.
The North Carolina Divorce Packet provides information about how to file for absolute divorce.
Consulting with a family law attorney
Some people hesitate to talk to an attorney because they do not want to engage in an adversarial process. If you are getting divorced, and especially if you have children, it is generally a good idea to talk to an attorney anyway. An attorney can help you navigate legal processes and protect your interests.
Family law attorneys have helped many people work through divorce and separation and can provide advice about navigating the process in a way that aligns with your goals. Talk to a few different attorneys so you can find one who will support your goals.
Many people worry that talking with a lawyer may be too expensive. This is not always the case. Attorneys can give you an idea of what their services will cost during an initial consultation. Some attorneys offer a la carte or hourly pricing so that you can get their help just when you need it.
If you need help finding an attorney, you can use North Carolina Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service.
safety
If there has been abuse or violence in your relationship, mediation may not be safe and can increase the risk of further harm. Contact your local domestic violence organization for support.
Some people who have experienced domestic or family violence may qualify to receive representation or legal advice from Pisgah Legal Services.
Staying together or splitting up
If your goal is to work out issues in the relationship so that you can stay together or if you disagree about splitting up, it may be best to find a couple’s counselor.
If you don’t have insurance or your co-pay is too expensive, you can contact:
Custody mediation in the courts
When the court issues an order for mediation of child custody matters, or if you have a pending custody action in the courts, you can access custody mediators who work for the court in your county. Custody mediation through the courts is free. You may also be able to hire a private mediator to help with custody conversations.
For more information, contact the Family Court in your county:
parenting plans and access to children
If you need to create or modify a parenting plan, it’s often best to speak first with a family law attorney. Then, consider finding a family mediator who has training and experience with creating parenting plans. The North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission certifies Family Financial Mediators, many of whom also have experience with parenting plans. You can view a list of mediators willing to provide services—remotely or in person—in Buncombe or Henderson, Transylvania, and Polk Counties.
You can also visit the North Carolina Association for Professional Family Mediators to search for a suitable mediator.
If you are a non-custodial parent seeking access to your children, you may qualify for North Carolina’s Access and Visitation Program. The program can provide parent education and legal information about the court process as well as make referrals to community services.
Child Support
You can contact the Child Support Enforcement office in your county for information on setting up child support or help with missed payments.
Complex financial Assets/liabilities
If you and the other person have complex assets and liabilities such as real estate, retirement accounts, and co-owned businesses, it is best to find a certified Family Financial Settlement mediator who has experience in these areas.
You can view a list of mediators willing to provide services—remotely or in person—in Buncombe or Henderson, Transylvania, and Polk Counties.
Choosing a mediator
Anyone in North Carolina can call themselves a mediator. It is recommended that you select a mediator who has formal mediation training, as well as experience mediating the type of conflict at hand. Consider choosing a certified mediator, who is accountable to ethical standards and rules for practice.
It is appropriate to call mediators to ask about their training and experience. Mediators charge various fees for their services, and outside of the custody mediation program offered by the courts, there are no free mediation resources for divorce, separation, custody, parenting plans, custody, couples’ conflict, or co-parenting. Ask mediators about their fees upfront.
Additionally, The North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission publishes a Guide to Selecting a Mediator.