Areas of Practice

Mediation

Mediation is an opportunity for parties in disagreement to have a supported conversation with a trained professional. Mediation is for all types of court cases and conflict, and it is especially helpful for custody and parenting time disputes, working toward a voluntary settlement agreement that is best for all parties, but especially for the child(ren). This process will help the parties gain clarity about themselves, the situation, and each other. Mediation reduces conflict and court costs. The mediator is neutral and will facilitate the communications and negotiations. Through mediation, Amy wishes to help families find peace, and to provide this needed service at an affordable cost. Parties can seek mediation with Amy prior to obtaining attorneys for divorce, not just during divorce and custody litigation.

Cost: $150 / hour, three hour minimum, plus 30 minute administrative fee. IFP rate of $100 / hour for low income parties. All fees are to be split equally by the parties, unless otherwise agreed upon.

Social Early Neutral Evaluation

Social Early Neutral Evaluation is similar to mediation, but it is used only for family law cases. The SENE will involve the parents, their attorneys, and two trained evaluators. During the SENE session, each parent explains what they would like for a custody and parenting time plan, and why. The evaluators ask questions to gain additional needed information. Then there is a break while the evaluators confer. The meeting then reconvenes, and the evaluators present their recommendations to the parents, hopefully leading toward a voluntary settlement agreement that is geared toward the best interest of the child(ren).

The cost of SENE is determined by each county’s court system. The cost is split equally by the parties.

Custody Evaluations

In contested custody cases, a child custody evaluation is a helpful tool that can be utilized by the parties. A custody evaluation usually takes about three months to complete. A custody evaluation includes, but is not limited to, the following:

at least two interviews with each parent, separately.
at least one interview of the child(ren), if age appropriate.
consultation with the children’s daycare provider, teachers, and any other adults having a close relationship with the children.
a parent-child interaction observation in each parent’s home.
a criminal background check of each parent.
obtaining necessary relevant records, including mental health and chemical dependency records and police reports.
requiring a parent to undergo a chemical dependency evaluation when necessary.

Upon completion of the custody evaluator’s investigation, the evaluator provides an informal summary of her recommendations, hoping to accomplish voluntary settlement between the parents. If settlement does not occur, the evaluator writes a thorough report, to include the evaluator’s custody and parenting time recommendations. If needed, the evaluator is called as a witness to testify at the custody trial. The custody evaluator’s recommendations weigh heavily in the court’s determination of custody.

Evaluation cost: $6,000

Written report: $3,000

Testimony: $1,500

Brief focused assessments are available upon request and cost to be determined based upon the scope of the assessment.

Parenting Consultant and Parenting Time Expeditor

Amy is accepting referrals for PC and PTE Clients. $200 / hour with a $3,000 retainer (both to be split equally by the parties, unless otherwise agreed upon).

Court Appointments

Amy accepts appointments from the District Courts in McLeod, Sibley, LeSueur, Carver and Scott Counties to represent low income parties in paternity establishment, child support contempt, child protection, guardianship, conservatorship, and civil commitment cases.

Criminal Defense

Amy has 24 years of previous experience as a McLeod County criminal prosecutor. Please call to inquire if your case would be a good fit for Amy’s legal representation. A reasonable flat fee will be determined on a case by case basis, depending upon the complexity of the case.