Your mediator
I am Christopher J. Archer, a South Carolina family law attorney and an SC Supreme Court certified family court mediator, with over a decade of family law practice in South Carolina. As a mediator I do not represent either spouse. I serve as a neutral third party whose job is to help you both reach a workable agreement.
Christopher J. Archer
Archer Swearingen Family Law
Licensed South Carolina attorney (SC Bar #101662)
USC School of Law
Over a decade of family law practice, focused on uncontested divorce and separate maintenance.
What mediation is
Mediation is a structured conversation between you and your spouse, guided by a neutral third party. The goal is a written agreement on the issues in your divorce: property, debts, support, and, if you have children, custody and parenting.
The mediator does not decide anything. You and your spouse make every decision. My role is to keep the conversation productive, make sure each issue gets addressed, and put the result into a clear written agreement.
Mediation works best when both people want to resolve things and are willing to compromise. It is usually faster and less expensive than working through opposing attorneys.
What mediation is not
- It is not therapy. We are working toward a legal agreement, not processing the relationship.
- It is not legal advice to either of you. As a neutral, I cannot advise either spouse on what is in that person's individual interest.
- It is not representation. I am not your attorney, and neither of you is my client.
Who mediation is for
Best for you if:
- Both spouses are willing to negotiate in good faith.
- There is no active abuse or threat between you.
- You both want to reach an agreement rather than have a judge decide.
- You are ready to exchange honest financial information.
Who mediation is not for
- If there is active abuse, coercion, or a safety concern, mediation is not appropriate.
- If one spouse will not participate or disclose finances, mediation will not work.
- If your case is high-conflict or contested on core issues, you likely need attorneys, not a mediator.
If any of these describe your situation, mediation is not the right tool. Consult an attorney who handles contested matters.
How the process works
- Book your first session. Both spouses must attend. Booking is done through the scheduler and payment is collected at the time of booking.
- Attend session 1. The first 30 minutes cover intake, ground rules, and the working agenda. The remaining 90 minutes are the first working session on the substantive issues.
- Continue as needed. Most low-conflict couples finish in one to three sessions. Book and pay for each session as you go.
- Sign the Mediated Settlement Agreement. When all issues are resolved, the MSA is drafted and signed at the final session. The MSA drafting is included in the fee for the session in which agreement is reached.
- File separately. Mediation ends at signed agreement. Filing the divorce is a separate step you handle after mediation.
Pricing
Mediation is billed per session, at a flat rate.
- Joint mediation session (2 hours): $600 for the couple, $300 per spouse. Sessions are booked and paid one at a time.
- Session 1 includes intake. The first 30 minutes of session 1 cover intake, ground rules, and the working agenda. The remaining 90 minutes are the first working session.
- Mediated Settlement Agreement drafting. If you reach agreement, the drafted MSA is included in the fee for the session in which agreement is reached.
Most low-conflict couples finish in one to three sessions. Fees are typically split equally between spouses unless you agree otherwise.
After mediation
Mediation ends when you have a signed Mediated Settlement Agreement. Filing the divorce is a separate step, and I do not handle it as part of mediation. You have three ways to finalize:
- Each spouse retains separate counsel to review the agreement and file.
- You file on your own, pro se, using the official court forms. The DIY divorce packets on this site provide those forms and instructions.
- You engage a different attorney to complete the filing.
Choose whichever fits your situation. Mediation gives you the agreement. Finalizing it is your next step.
Mediation FAQ
Do you represent either of us?
No. As a mediator I am neutral. Neither spouse is my client, and I do not give either of you legal advice.
Can you file our divorce after mediation?
No. Mediation is a standalone service that ends with a signed agreement. Filing is a separate step you handle through the options above.
Should we each have our own lawyer?
You are each free to have your own attorney review the agreement before signing. Many couples do. It is not required.
How many sessions will we need?
Most low-conflict couples finish in one to three sessions. Each session is 2 hours and is booked and paid individually.
How are fees split?
Fees are typically split equally between spouses unless you agree otherwise.
What if mediation does not work?
If you cannot reach agreement, you stop. You have paid only for the sessions you used. You are then free to pursue other options, including attorneys.
What if we resolve some issues but not all in one session?
Mediation produces one comprehensive Mediated Settlement Agreement at the end, not multiple partial agreements. Between sessions, I document what you have agreed to in a written summary that both spouses sign. The summary is not binding; it is a working record so we do not relitigate resolved issues in later sessions. Final agreement is memorialized only when all issues are resolved.
Is what we say in mediation confidential?
Mediation communications are confidential under South Carolina's ADR rules and my mediation agreement, subject to limited exceptions such as safety concerns and mandatory reporting duties. I will explain the specifics at the start of your first session.