Mediation · Home & separation
Keep the house. Separate on a plan.
When one of you wants to stay in your home but can't afford to refinance and buy the other out, a second mortgage may be a path. Mediation helps you agree on how it will work and when each step happens.
Who this is for
- You're separating, and one of you wants to keep your home
- You can't refinance the first mortgage to pay the buyout
- You want a clear timeline instead of an open-ended standoff
What you'll leave with
- The buyout amount and how it will be paid through a second mortgage or home equity loan
- Who pays the mortgage, taxes, insurance and repairs until the buyout is done
- Milestones with dates: lender approval, appraisal, signing, move-out day, keys and belongings
- A backup plan if a milestone is missed, such as selling the house
Talk to a lender first. Liz doesn't arrange loans or give financial advice. A second mortgage usually doesn't remove the person moving out from the first mortgage, so mediation also covers how that person is protected until the first loan is paid off or refinanced.
Liz is a neutral mediator. She doesn't represent either of you or give either side legal advice. You leave with a written list of your agreements to review with your own lawyer or advisor.
How it works
Two meetings, one plan.
We meet together
You both meet with Liz to lay out the numbers, the timeline and what each of you needs to feel secure.
Liz meets with each of you separately
A second meeting by video, where Liz talks with each person one-on-one. It's a private space to raise concerns you may not want to say in front of the other person.
At the end of mediation
You take home a list of your agreements.
Liz gives you a written list of everything you agreed to in mediation. You don't sign anything in mediation, so no one feels pressured to commit on the spot.
Take the list home. Review it with a lawyer or any other advisor you trust. Then decide whether to turn it into a contract.
Before your first meeting. After you book, your confirmation email includes a link to a short intake form. Each person fills it out on their own. It takes about 10 minutes, and your answers are private: the other person won't see them.
Plan for three hours for each meeting. Please set aside a full three hours for the joint meeting and three hours for the separate video meeting, so there's time to work through everything without rushing.
Ready when you are.
Pick a time and pay when you book. Each booking starts with a short list of policies to check.