Lynnette Nadeau

Description of Practice

Dallas Fort Worth divorce and family mediator serving clients across Texas with in person and virtual mediation for divorce, child custody, visitation, parenting plans, elder care, estate disputes, inheritance conflicts, and civil matters. Lynnette Nadeau is a TMCA Credentialed Mediator helping families reach practical agreements without the cost and conflict of litigation.
With decades of negotiation experience and service in crisis support roles including EMT, foster parenting, and mental health support, Lynnette creates a calm, structured environment where difficult conversations become workable solutions. Common Ground Mediation serves clients throughout Texas with virtual sessions available statewide.

Professional Background

I earned a degree in Political Science and History from Sam Houston State University and built my career through public service, negotiation, crisis response, and community leadership. Working with Texas municipalities and the Main Street Program, I negotiated agreements between local governments, private businesses, and major medical organizations to expand services in rural communities.
My experience also includes international coordination and negotiations involving the exchange of World War II artifacts between museums across three countries, requiring collaboration among multiple organizations with differing priorities and interests.
As the owner of an entertainment company, I negotiated contracts, managed disputes, and resolved issues in fast paced environments where preserving relationships and reaching workable agreements were essential.
In addition to negotiation work, I served as an EMT and foster parent to teenage girls, experiences that strengthened my ability to remain calm during conflict, navigate emotionally charged situations, and support people through difficult transitions. I have also served as a public speaker and guest lecturer for law enforcement on domestic violence and child abuse issues.
My community leadership includes service on the boards of directors for United Way and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, reflecting a long standing commitment to supporting families, children, and community services.
My work in dog rescue, training, and placement included providing basic training for dogs intended for future service roles, further developing the patience, communication, and problem solving skills that support my mediation practice.

Mediation Experience

I have completed more than 100 hours of direct mediation work and have provided pro bono mediation services across multiple Texas counties, working with families and individuals facing complex and emotionally charged disputes.
My mediation practice is supported by decades of negotiation and conflict resolution experience. Throughout my career, I have negotiated agreements involving municipalities, businesses, medical organizations, and community stakeholders, helping parties with differing interests move toward practical solutions.
My background includes work on complex negotiations and multi party matters, including municipal agreements, community development initiatives, and stakeholder coordination projects. In one land acquisition matter, I helped facilitate communication with elderly property owners after prior negotiations had stalled, contributing to a resolution acceptable to all parties.
In addition to mediation and negotiation work, I have served as an EMT, foster parent to teenage girls, mental health peer counselor, assault crisis line counselor, and Civil Air Patrol search and rescue officer. These roles strengthened the active listening, de escalation, neutrality, and communication skills essential to effective mediation.
My community service has included liaison work and board service with United Way and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, reflecting a long standing commitment to families and community support.
I approach mediation with structure, respect, and practical problem solving, helping parties move from conflict toward workable agreements they can carry forward in daily life.

Mediation Approach & Philosophy

My approach is grounded in transformational and restorative mediation, with a focus on improving communication, not just reaching an agreement. I guide the process while the parties remain in control of both the conversation and the outcome. I help each person speak clearly, build confidence, and better understand the other’s perspective, shifting interactions from reactive to constructive. This often leads to more thoughtful, lasting agreements and, when needed, a healthier way of moving forward in ongoing relationships.

Representative Cases Handled as a Mediator

REPRESENTATIVE CASE: ESTATE MEDIATION INVOLVING CAREGIVER SIBLING CONFLICT An estate dispute involved five adult siblings following the death of their mother. One daughter had remained in the family home area and provided substantial care for her parents over many years while living with limited financial resources and reduced opportunities. Her siblings had moved away, pursued education and careers, and were financially stable. The daughter believed her years of caregiving and sacrifice entitled her to a larger share of the estate and had structured her life around the expectation that she would inherit the family property. The remaining siblings believed the estate should be divided equally in accordance with the will. The mediation process created space for each sibling to express not only their legal positions but also years of unspoken feelings surrounding caregiving responsibilities, family expectations, guilt, resentment, and loss. Individual discussions revealed that several siblings carried regret regarding their limited participation in parental care and recognized the sacrifices their sister had made. After approximately four hours of mediation, the family reached an agreement to partition the property into separate parcels. The caregiving daughter retained the parcel containing her residence while the remaining property, including the primary residence, would be sold. Sale proceeds were allocated to recognize both the caregiving daughter’s contribution and the interests of the remaining heirs. Although the financial outcome was not ideal for every party, the mediation resulted in meaningful family healing and preserved relationships that might otherwise have been permanently damaged. REPRESENTATIVE CASE: LONG DISTANCE PARENTING PLAN FOLLOWING RELOCATION. A father accepted a career opportunity that significantly increased his income but required relocation more than 100 miles from his three children. Prior to the move, the parents had maintained a cooperative arrangement with approximately equal parenting time and both agreed that preserving the children’s relationship with each parent was essential. Rather than pursuing litigation over custody changes or increased child support, the parents worked collaboratively to create a flexible parenting arrangement focused on maintaining family connections. The mother agreed that funds which otherwise may have gone toward increased support would instead help the father maintain a small apartment near the children. The agreement allowed the father to travel regularly for weekend parenting time while also providing extended summer and school break schedules. The plan preserved the children’s involvement in extracurricular activities and allowed both parents to remain actively engaged in their lives despite the distance. The outcome reflected the parties’ shared commitment to prioritizing the children while adapting to changing circumstances. REPRESENTATIVE CASE: REUIFICATION FOLLOWIN GSUBSTANCE RECOVERY A parenting matter involved a mother who had not seen her children for nearly a year due to concerns related to substance use. The father wanted the children to maintain a relationship with their mother but needed reassurance regarding their safety and stability. Through mediation, the parties developed a structured reunification plan that balanced accountability with the goal of restoring family relationships. The agreement included ongoing drug testing requirements and a graduated parenting schedule designed to increase contact over time as recovery milestones were achieved. The process allowed both parents to focus on the children’s needs while creating a clear pathway toward rebuilding trust and reestablishing a healthy parent child relationship.

Complex Case Experience

A development project required the acquisition and consolidation of several parcels to create a site large enough for the planned use. One property was owned by an elderly couple who repeatedly declined all purchase offers over an extended period despite significant financial incentives. Previous negotiations conducted by multiple corporate representatives had stalled because discussions remained focused on price, while the owners consistently maintained that they did not want to leave their home.
After prior efforts reached an impasse, I requested the opportunity to meet directly with the couple. Through informal discussions and active listening, it became clear that financial considerations were not driving their position. Their primary concern was preserving their home, maintaining independence, and avoiding displacement.
Working collaboratively with the stakeholders, I helped develop a creative resolution that addressed the interests of all parties. The city transferred a foreclosed residential lot within town limits to the couple for a nominal amount, providing closer access to services and support. The acquiring company funded the relocation and refurbishment of the family home and completed the purchase agreement, allowing the couple to retain their residence while also preserving financial benefits for their children.
The matter concluded with a mutually acceptable agreement that satisfied project objectives while honoring the couple’s personal priorities and quality of life concerns.

Fees

$400.00 per person for a 4 hour session

References

Stephanie Marquart, ADR Facilitator, Montgomery County

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