Laura is a very special divorce mediator: smart, fast and goal-oriented. Strict and businesslike where necessary, at the same time empathetic, flexible and intuitive. Within complex divorces, Laura is not only able to come up with creative and sustainable solutions that best serve both parties and the children involved, but also to get parties to go down that path despite themselves. Should you ever be looking for a mediator for a divorce with a lot of hassle in the undercurrent in which, for example, addiction problems play a role? Do yourself a favor and get Laura to sort out your divorce.

Laura Boomsma-Shriber guided and completed our divorce proceedings as a mediator in a formidable manner. She did this very professionally, thoughtfully and creatively with the necessary degree of patience.
This ultimately led to a parenting plan and covenant that both parties are happy with. I have greatly appreciated her empathy, flexibility, commitment and tireless efforts and I heartily recommend her to anyone looking for a mediator for a complex divorce.

I am grateful to have worked with Laura on the dissolution of my registered partnership. When I approached Laura, I was overwhelmed and emotionally depleted due to the power imbalance between my then-partner and I. Consistent with our first meeting, Laura made sure that I was heard every step of the way during the mediation process, and that I felt my concerns were adequately addressed before we proceeded on. Laura was sharp, fair, clear, and patient. I highly recommend her.

Laura is a highly qualified lawyer and she is also a mediator and coach and this is very useful especially in my situation which is very unclear at the moment.  In a certain way, the meeting with her inspired me.  Her empathic abilities are truly enormous and he always manages to hit the hot spot of the discussion. What really important and what really matters. 

She gave me very clear instructions and advice and guided me through a better understanding of my situation and of myself. Being very honest, sometimes very strict but she opened my eyes to a situation that I was highly underestimating. I would recommend Laura to everyone especially to expats who are living in the Netherlands. 

Given the situation and the failed mediation, I was actually done with it and ready for a legal battle in court. The other party was also involved. Laura is able to separate the side issues from the main issues throughout the entire process. In addition, Laura has been very clear in cause and effect. By that I mean what choices there are and the consequences that come with them. The goal very clear; working on a solution rather than further escalation. Laura has been able to convince several lawyers of the opposing party of the goal: the solution. This was achieved after a period of 4 years. Everything is settled; the separation agreement here in the Netherlands up to and including the transfer of ownership in France.

In addition to the business part in such a case, it is also important (for me) that there is a personal “click”. Laura is a warm and nice person. Tells the truth, even if you sometimes don’t want to hear it and, as said before, very clear in the choices to be made with the associated consequences. Laura will not decide for you, but will indicate very clearly what the choices are and the associated consequences. Laura’s commitment is 100%. A go-getter!!

Equally personal Laura; you are a great woman! I am very grateful for how you have dragged me through this process and the result; eventually complete the divorce without lawsuits

Laura has provided me with excellent guidance in dealing with parental relationships to find the best starting points for my son and myself in relation and relationship with the mother of my son. In particular, the emphasis on good preparation and attention to the underlying emotion and what that does was discussed in detail. This has led to an intrinsically different attitude in myself to come to solutions in which I could keep my son’s position central without completely losing sight of myself. The personal interaction with Laura means that my position taking has become much clearer and has also led to results.

It was a pleasure working with Laura. It was all very fast, informative, friendly with a good sense of empathy. They are a good team and I really recommend the service.

Working with Laura was a pleasure. She was informative, direct, friendly and really helped us when we needed to speed up the process. We are very grateful to her for that. Hester was of great help, always available, super friendly and ready to help out. I definitely recommend Laura, specially if you are feeling insecure about the process. They are a great team.

In the process of divorce, love and happiness all too quickly give way to disappointment and misunderstanding, where a lot of rationality is required. We were unable to resolve the matter and saw no other option to ask the judge for a ruling. He sent us back and that’s how we ended up with Laura. I still cannot fully interpret the process in which she preceded us, but she brought us to the best possible outcome for both of us, which I see as a great achievement and for which I am very grateful to her. I wish many others this guide on this difficult path!

Today it is the day of the divorced child, a good day to put ourselves in the shoes of children with divorcing or divorced parents or children who are sensing that a divorce might be upcoming. Through my daughter’s stories of children in her class I became aware that children kept silent about the divorce and some actually kept it a secret. It became apparent to me how isolated a child can feel in their situation. Living under the assumption that they are the only ones going through this and maybe even feeling it is their fault his or her parents are getting divorced. I stimulated my daughter to show her friends that she is there for them and willing to listen. There are also books and programs like Kies https://kiesvoorhetkind.nl/ which provide a safe environment for children to connect and share their experience.

The parents can also make a big difference for their children by providing space for the children to love both their parents and be loved, to be loyal to both of them without choosing and by showing them they will take care of their own emotions and issues and will make good parenting agreements to provide the clear structure and space their children need. It can help if the parent can listen in a relaxed way to stories when the children return from staying with the other parent. To step back a little bit and observe yourself, to check if you are really operating out of this true wish to be the best parent or if you are reactive (to your ex, to your past, to your triggered emotions) is challenging and can be very confronting. But is not impossible.

All parents who come to our office want to be good parents. This is a primal wish and need of people who have put a child on the planet. They all voice that their number 1 priority is the welfare of the children and a good parenting plan. This, however, is not specific enough and needs to be explored and translated into real agreements and resolutions with yourself and each other to actually transform these beautiful words into a reality for the children. Off course this is all much easier said than done.

Divorce can be a very stressful and painful process, triggering old feelings of abandonments or not being good enough as well. It is not a luxury to have professional guidance of an experienced and involved mediator, collaborative team (lawyers and neutrals) to come to a good settlement of the divorce. Divorcing is a holistic process, in the sense that the entire outcome of this process will have a big impact on your further lives, so you are worth it and the children as well to have this guided in a good professional way.

Also to agree on a clause in the parenting plan to evaluate the plan once in a while or who to approach when you have a misunderstanding or a dispute, like a mediator or a parental coordinator. It is only reasonable to expect that there will be a few bumps on the road and to not be flabbergasted about it but be prepared by already have a person in place to help you straighten it out when necessary.

A mediator cannot change the past or the way your ex communicates, you can only change yourself, look at the dynamics and look at what you and your ex aka the other parent of your children has to offer to be the best team for the children even when you are apart.

It will make all the difference.

I can recommend Laura to everyone! She assisted me for many years during a very difficult divorce. She works everything out down to the smallest detail, is powerful and razor sharp in the courtroom. At the same time she is very involved, compassionate and her sense of humor makes it easy for you to put situations into perspective. Last but not least: all cases won 🙂

Laura is a very professional, sharp and skilled mediator who is able to guide a difficult process in an exceptionally good way. Our divorce was very difficult, especially because I live abroad. Despite all the emotional, logistical and legal problems, Laura managed the process in a very good way. She has always had an eye for the interests of both parties and has always tried to find a solution together with the parties. The result was a solution with which both parties are satisfied.