Minnesota family court
SENE vs. mediation: feedback, or your own agreement?
If someone mentioned “SENE” and you nodded along, you're not alone. Here's what Social Early Neutral Evaluation is in Minnesota, how it differs from mediation, and where each one shows up, straight from the court rules and county programs.
- SENE: court-connected evaluators give you feedback on custody and parenting time.
- Mediation: a neutral helps the two of you reach your own agreement.
- Both: confidential, and you only sign what you both agree to.
4.9 from 292 Google reviewsBy the Flannel People Mediation team. Updated October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Flannel People Mediation doesn't practice law or give legal advice, and doesn't draft court papers or file anything with a court.
Quick decode
SENE = Social Early Neutral Evaluation (custody, parenting time)
FENE = Financial Early Neutral Evaluation (money)
- Primary sources
- Rule 114, mncourts.gov, Hennepin County
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The short version
One gives you an opinion. One gives you the pen.
SENE and mediation both try to keep parents out of a courtroom fight. The difference is who brings the answers.
In SENE, evaluators listen to both of you and then give you their honest read on custody and parenting time, based on the factors Minnesota uses. Minnesota's Rule 114 describes early neutral evaluation as an assessment of strengths and weaknesses and an opinion about settlement. Then you see if you can settle.
In mediation, nobody hands you a forecast. The mediator runs a structured conversation so the two of you can work through the hard issues, reach agreement, and put it in writing. You decide what's fair for your family.
They aren't rivals. SENE is something a court refers you to once a case is open. Private mediation is something you can choose at almost any point.
Side by side
SENE vs. private mediation
Details vary by county. This is the general picture from the sources below.
| SENE (court-connected) | Private mediation | |
|---|---|---|
| When | After a family court case is filed, usually ordered at the Initial Case Management Conference. | Any time: before anything is filed, during a case, or after a decree. |
| Who | Usually two evaluators. Attorneys attend if you have them. | One neutral mediator and the two of you. |
| Covers | Custody and parenting time (FENE covers finances). | Whatever you need to settle: parenting, the house, money, the practical stuff. |
| What the neutral does | Gives an assessment and feedback, based on the factors Minnesota uses. | Facilitates the conversation. No verdicts, no forecasts. |
| Time | About 3 hours, plus follow-ups as needed. | With us: private calls, an intake, then the joint session on Zoom. |
| Cost | Varies by county; sliding-fee options exist. | With us: $1,695 per person, flat. |
| What you leave with | Any agreement both parents approve goes to the court. | A written summary of what you agreed to, for each of you to review with your own attorney if you choose. |
SENE (court-connected)
- When
- After a family court case is filed, usually ordered at the Initial Case Management Conference.
- Who
- Usually two evaluators. Attorneys attend if you have them.
- Covers
- Custody and parenting time (FENE covers finances).
- What the neutral does
- Gives an assessment and feedback, based on the factors Minnesota uses.
- Time
- About 3 hours, plus follow-ups as needed.
- Cost
- Varies by county; sliding-fee options exist.
- What you leave with
- Any agreement both parents approve goes to the court.
Private mediation
- When
- Any time: before anything is filed, during a case, or after a decree.
- Who
- One neutral mediator and the two of you.
- Covers
- Whatever you need to settle: parenting, the house, money, the practical stuff.
- What the neutral does
- Facilitates the conversation. No verdicts, no forecasts.
- Time
- With us: private calls, an intake, then the joint session on Zoom.
- Cost
- With us: $1,695 per person, flat.
- What you leave with
- A written summary of what you agreed to, for each of you to review with your own attorney if you choose.
How SENE usually runs
From referral to settlement, or not
A general outline, drawn from LawHelpMN, Hennepin County and the court rules. Your county may do it a little differently.
Questions about your own case? The Minnesota Judicial Branch ENE page and your county are the right place to ask. We don't give legal advice.
- 1Case filed
A family court case is open
SENE is a court-connected process. It happens after a case is filed, not before. - 2ICMC
The court refers you
According to LawHelpMN, SENE is usually ordered at the Initial Case Management Conference, and often scheduled within one to three weeks. - 3About 3 hours
You meet with the evaluators
Typically two evaluators. In Hennepin County, the county's program describes a team of male and female evaluators, one three-hour session, and follow-ups as needed. If you have attorneys, they attend. - 4Feedback
They give you their honest read
Minnesota's Rule 114.02 describes early neutral evaluation as neutrals reviewing information after a case is filed and giving an assessment of strengths and weaknesses, and an opinion about settlement. - 5Your call
You settle, or you don't
It's confidential, and only agreements both parents approve go to the court. If you don't settle, the case continues.
What mediation adds
Room for the whole picture
Evaluators can tell you how things look from the outside. Mediation is where the two of you sort out the inside: the actual Tuesday pickups, who handles the dentist, what happens at Thanksgiving, and the money questions that come with two households.
Built around your kids
Everything at one table
Private calls first
Agreement in writing
“My ex and I were looking for some help to resolve a stalemate, Ryan was fantastic. Balanced and fair. He helped us virtually (though it did feel cosy and connected) and we were able to come to a resolution and steps forward that will only strengthen our co-parenting.”
“Ryan was incredibly thoughtful and took time to truly listen to both our perspectives. His approach made the entire process feel fair and constructive.”
“Ryan is helpful and gave good direction. Definitely kept things neutral and positive during this not so fun time.”
Mediation with us
What mediation looks like at Flannel People
We don't do evaluations and we don't deal with courts. We help two people work through the hard issues, reach agreement and put it in writing. Here's how that works with us.
$1,695 per person
Flat, on Zoom: the private calls, the intake and the joint session. Cost breakdown.
Ryan or Kate
Your mediator is Ryan or Kate McLaughlin. Neutral, no sides, no verdicts. Meet us.
All 50 states + DC
Ryan serves couples virtually in all 50 states plus DC. Online mediation.
AI translation
Available if English isn't one spouse's first language. Sessions are conducted in English.
In person?
In-person options may be available on request, for an additional fee.
Safety
When joint sessions aren't safe
If there's abuse, threats or coercion, sitting down together may not be safe for SENE or for mediation. Courts and programs have their own screening, and we talk with each person privately before any joint session. Either person can stop at any time.
If you are in danger, call 911.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. In Minnesota, the Day One crisis line is 1-866-223-1111.
FAQ
SENE vs. mediation: FAQ
Educational information only, not legal advice. Flannel People Mediation provides mediation services and does not provide legal representation.
What is SENE in Minnesota?
SENE stands for Social Early Neutral Evaluation. It's a court-connected process for parents with a family court case. Evaluators listen to both parents and give feedback about custody and parenting time, so the parents can try to settle. A financial version, FENE, covers money issues.
Is SENE the same as mediation?
No. In mediation, a neutral helps the two of you talk and reach your own agreement, and doesn't evaluate your case. In SENE, the evaluators give you their assessment, based on the factors Minnesota uses for custody and parenting time, and then you see whether you can settle.
Do you have to file for divorce before SENE?
SENE is part of the family court process, so it happens after a case is filed. Private mediation can happen before anything is filed, during a case, or after it.
How long does SENE take?
LawHelpMN describes a session of about three hours, and Hennepin County's program describes one three-hour session with follow-up sessions as needed.
What does SENE cost?
It depends on the county and the evaluators. LawHelpMN notes fees vary by county and that sliding-fee options exist. Ask your county or the evaluators directly.
Does Flannel People Mediation do SENE?
No. We provide mediation: helping two people work through the hard issues, reach agreement and put it in writing. We don't do evaluations, don't tell you how a court would rule, and don't deal with courts.
Can we try mediation if we're already headed toward SENE?
Many parents look at private mediation at different points. Whether and when it makes sense in your case is a question for you and, if you have one, your own attorney. We're happy to explain how our process works on a free 15-minute call.
Sources we checked
Read October 31, 2026. General information about Minnesota programs, not legal advice about your case.
- 01Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 114 (ADR in Minnesota courts)114.02 definitions of early neutral evaluation and mediation.
- 02Minnesota Judicial Branch: Early Case Management / Early Neutral EvaluationThe statewide ENE program, SENE and FENE.
- 03LawHelpMN: Family Court Process, Early Neutral EvaluationWhen SENE is ordered, typical length, timing and fees.
- 04Hennepin County: Family mediation and evaluationHow the county's ENE/SENE and mediation services work.
- 05Minn. Stat. § 518.157, subd. 3(f)Courts notify parents who haven't agreed on custody or parenting time of the option of private mediation.
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