Divorce mediation in English — wherever you are.
A human, neuroscience-informed process that helps couples living in France reach agreement together — without the chaos of an adversarial divorce. 100% virtual. Sessions available within a week.
240+
Five-Star Google Reviews
100%
Virtual — Anywhere
< 1 Week
Typical Time to First Session
Not a courtroom. A conversation — with structure.
Most people in conflict don't need an adversarial process. They need a skilled third party who can hold the space, slow things down, and help both people think clearly about their future — not just react to the present.
That's what mediation is. And it works just as well — sometimes better — when you're living abroad, navigating an unfamiliar legal system, and doing it all in a second language.
The situation most people are in when they find us.
The French legal system is unfamiliar
You may not fully understand your regime matrimonial, your filing options, or what a judge will actually decide if you cannot agree.
Your assets cross borders
Retirement accounts, property, business interests — the complexity of dividing them across two countries feels paralyzing.
You need English-language support
Legal French and emotional clarity are hard to find in the same place. You need someone who can do both.
You want to stay out of court
A contested divorce in France can take years and cost thousands. You would rather reach an agreement together — if there is a real path to that.
Built for how people actually go through this.
01
Neuroscience-Informed
Conflict activates the brain's threat response. Our process draws on affect labeling, polyvagal theory, and the Gottman Method — designed to de-escalate, not inflame.
02
Available Within a Week
Most clients schedule their first session within 5-7 days of reaching out. No waitlists. No months of delay. You move when you are ready.
03
Flexible Across Time Zones
Early mornings, evenings, weekends. We work around your schedule — not a courthouse calendar. France, the US, or anywhere between.
04
Clear Process & Procedure
You will know exactly what each session covers, what comes next, and what a finished agreement looks like. No ambiguity about where you are.
05
Structured Individual Intake
Before joint sessions begin, Ryan meets separately with each person. This is not a formality — it is how sessions do not go off the rails.
06
100% Virtual
From Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, or anywhere in the world. Secure video. No travel, no offices, no reason the distance slows you down.
"Most people in conflict don't need an adversarial process. They need someone who can facilitate a difficult conversation and help them think clearly about their future."
— Ryan McLaughlin, Founder
240+
Five-Star Reviews
< 1 wk
Time to First Session
100%
Virtual
English
All Sessions
A clear path from where you are to where you need to be.
01
Free Consultation
A 30-minute call with Ryan. No commitment. We listen, explain the process, and help you decide if mediation is right for your situation.
02
Individual Intake
Ryan meets separately with each person before any joint sessions — identifying key issues, emotional dynamics, and what needs careful handling.
03
Joint Sessions
Structured, facilitated sessions working through property, finances, co-parenting, and any shared decisions. Virtual. Paced to what you need.
04
Documented Agreement
Every decision is captured in a structured document your attorneys can use to finalize the legal paperwork in France efficiently.
05
Review & Close
A final session to review the complete agreement and confirm mutual understanding. You leave knowing exactly what you have agreed to.
06
Post-Agreement Support
Co-parenting facilitation or structured communication sessions, available if needed — never required if not.
Real person. Real process.
Ryan founded Flannel People Mediation on a simple belief: most people in conflict are not fundamentally broken — they're overwhelmed and talking past each other. His job is to slow that down.
His approach draws on 18+ months of DBT training, the Gottman Method, polyvagal theory, and affect labeling research — not as buzzwords, but as tools for actual de-escalation. He works from home near Pig's Eye Lake in Minnesota. Flannel over a suit, every time.
18+ months of Dialectical Behavior Therapy training applied directly to conflict facilitation.
Research-based understanding of how couples communicate — and how to shift it.
Grounded in the neuroscience of threat response and how to help people access clear thinking.
Proven technique for reducing emotional intensity so rational decision-making becomes possible.
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Mediation works best when you recognize yourself here.
You are an English speaker living in France — American, British, Australian, Canadian — or anyone who does their clearest thinking in English.
Both of you want an amicable outcome — You do not have to agree on everything yet. You both need to prefer agreement over litigation.
You have children and want thoughtful co-parenting — The decisions you make now shape your children's lives for years. We take that seriously.
You want to understand every decision — Not just sign papers in a language you do not fully read. Clarity is non-negotiable.
Your situation involves cross-border assets — Experienced with this complexity, working alongside counsel in both jurisdictions.
You value efficiency without shortcuts — Available within a week. Structured. Fast enough to be practical, careful enough to be real.
Flannel People Mediation is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Mediation is a facilitated negotiation process. Clients should retain independent legal counsel in the relevant jurisdictions to review any agreements before signing. Ryan McLaughlin is a trained mediator, not an attorney currently practicing law.
Ready to Begin?
Schedule your free 30-minute consultation. No pressure, no commitment. We'll listen and help you understand if mediation is right for your situation.