Co-mediator and parenting specialist
Mary Levin: Certified Co-Parenting Specialist™ and Co-Mediator in San Diego
Raising children after a divorce is hard. Doing it calmly and consistently, in two homes, is harder. Mary helps parents build a parenting plan that fits their real lives, and she works alongside Scott so the whole agreement, legal, financial and parenting, comes together in one process.
A parent’s perspective
She knows what parents are really worried about
Mary is a mother of three and a business owner, so she understands the pressure parents are under: work, school, schedules and big emotions, all at once.
She hears the quiet fears that come with shared parenting. Will my child be okay? Can we do this without constant conflict? Am I being too flexible, or not flexible enough? Mary meets parents where they are and guides them toward a calmer routine, respectful communication and clear boundaries, with the children’s needs at the center.
Her mix of calm reassurance, a parent’s instinct and practical strategy is what she brings to the table. Having juggled schedules and hard, emotional decisions in her own family, she knows a parenting plan has to work on an ordinary Tuesday, not just look good on paper.
How Mary helps
Six things parents work through with Mary
Parenting plans that work
Not a template. Mary builds schedules around school routines, holidays and vacations, so kids know what to expect and transitions go smoothly.
Clear decision-making
Who decides about school, health care and activities? Mary helps you agree on shared values and clear rules, so nobody is surprised later.
Changes ahead
New jobs, moves and new partners can strain a plan. Mary helps you spot pressure points early and write terms that can adapt.
Better communication
You don’t have to be friends. Mary helps parents step out of old power struggles so they can focus on raising the kids.
Room to process
Old hurts can leak into parenting decisions. Mary gives you space and practical tools to deal with them so they don’t drive the plan.
Different parenting styles
Parents rarely agree on every rule. Mary helps you find common ground on discipline and structure while respecting each home.
Her approach
The Chief PeaceKeeper™ method, with a parent’s touch
Mary co-mediates many cases using Scott’s Chief PeaceKeeper™ method, a concierge-style, child-centered approach to mediation designed to lower conflict and put families back in charge of their own decisions.
She keeps the room calm and nonjudgmental, so conversations stay productive and parents can agree on what matters most for their kids. Whether you’re separating for the first time or revising an existing parenting plan, she looks for practical, creative solutions that put your children’s needs first, and she protects the dignity and neutrality that make a collaborative agreement possible.
Co-mediation
Two mediators, one calm process
When Mary co-mediates, you get two neutral professionals with different strengths. Scott handles the legal and financial questions and drafts the agreement. Mary focuses on the parenting side, so the plan is workable in real life and not only on paper.
Mary earned her certification through the Certified Co-Parenting Specialist program.
Learn how co-mediation works or read about Scott Levin.
A good fit if…
- You have minor children and need a parenting plan
- You’re updating a plan that no longer fits
- Communication is tense but you both want a workable plan
- You want the legal, financial and parenting pieces settled together
Common questions
Questions about working with Mary
What is a Certified Co-Parenting Specialist™?
It’s a professional certification for people who work with separating and divorced parents. Mary was certified through the Certified Co-Parenting Specialist program. She uses that training to help parents set clear routines, decision rules and communication habits.
Do we need Mary if we have kids?
Not always. Some parents do well with Scott alone. Mary is most helpful when parents disagree about schedules, when communication is tense, or when you want a parenting plan built around your children’s actual routines. You can decide at your consultation.
Does Mary handle the legal and financial parts?
Scott covers the legal and financial questions and drafts the agreement. Mary focuses on the parenting side: schedules, decisions, communication and how the plan will feel in everyday life.
Can Mary help if we already have a parenting plan?
Yes. Many families come back to update a plan when children get older, schedules change or a parent moves. Mary can help you revise it so it fits your family now.
Can we meet online?
Yes. We meet in person in San Diego or by Zoom anywhere in California.
What does it cost?
Our rates are affordable, and the fee depends on your circumstances. We go over it together at your consultation, before you commit, and people often tell us the pricing was clear and honest.
What our clients say
Start with a conversation about your kids
Meet with Mary and Scott to talk through your family, your questions and what a workable parenting plan could look like.
General information, not legal advice. Scott and Mary Levin serve as neutral mediators and do not represent either party in a mediation. San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law, 9820 Willow Creek Rd, Suite 410, San Diego, CA 92131.