When it comes to family law, emotions can run high. You’re making life-changing decisions about your children, your finances, and your future—and it’s not always easy to find common ground. But here’s the good news: most family law cases don’t go to trial. In fact, the vast majority are resolved through alternative dispute resolution, saving time, money, and emotional energy. One of the most effective tools for this is Social Early Neutral Evaluation (SENE).

Whether you and your co-parent get along—or can barely be in the same room—SENE can help move your case forward. Here’s how it works.

What Is a SENE?

SENE (Social Early Neutral Evaluation) is a voluntary, confidential process that helps families resolve custody and parenting time issues early in a case. It’s designed to offer clarity, direction, and a potential path to settlement—before your case gets tangled in court proceedings.

The Process:

• You and the other party meet with two trained evaluators (typically one male and one female).

• Each person presents their side of the story—what matters most to them, and why.

• The evaluators listen, ask questions, and then offer feedback on how they believe a judge would likely rule if the case went to trial.

• After hearing the evaluators’ input, you’ll have a chance to discuss possible agreements—right then and there.

SENE is non-binding, which means you’re not required to settle. But the neutral perspective often opens the door to productive conversations, even when tensions are high.

Will SENE Work If We Don’t Get Along?

Absolutely. SENE isn’t just for couples who are on friendly terms.

If you and your co-parent are struggling to communicate, or if you’ve already had conflict during the legal process, SENE can actually be one of the most effective tools available. Why? Because it:

• Creates a structured, respectful environment

• Brings in neutral third parties to refocus the conversation

• Offers realistic legal insight into how a judge might decide your case

• Helps prevent escalation by offering a chance to compromise early

You don’t have to be on the same page to make progress. You just need the right process and the right support.

Why SENE Is Worth Considering

There are several key benefits to participating in a Social Early Neutral Evaluation:

✅ Saves Time: You may be able to reach a resolution early, without months of litigation.
✅ Saves Money: Less time in court = fewer legal fees.
✅ Less Stress: You maintain more control over the outcome, rather than leaving decisions to a judge.
✅ Protects Privacy: What’s said during a SENE can’t be used against you later in court.
✅ Puts the Focus on Your Children: It encourages solutions that prioritize the best interests of your kids.

What Happens If We Don’t Reach Agreement?

If you don’t reach a full agreement during SENE, that’s okay. It’s still a valuable step in your case. You’ve had a chance to clarify the issues, hear neutral feedback, and potentially narrow down the disagreements.

Your case will then move forward through other steps in the legal process—but now, with more information and perspective.

You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone

Whether you’re just getting started or already deep into a custody case, you don’t have to navigate this alone.

At Johnson/Turner, we help families like yours resolve conflict with clarity, compassion, and strategy. We know how to guide you through SENE—and we’ll help you decide if it’s the right step for your situation.

Let’s talk about what’s next. Schedule your free guidance call today and take the first step toward a solution that works for you and your family.

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Terms to Know: 

ENE (Early Neutral Evalution): ENE is a confidential and voluntary process that helps people resolve custody, parenting time, child support, and property issues early in a case—often right after the first court meeting. A team of trained professionals, called Neutrals, listens to both sides, gives feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of each case, and offers insight into how a judge might decide.

You’ll then have the chance to talk with your attorney (if you have one) and try to reach an agreement. ENE is meant to save time, reduce stress, and help families move forward with less conflict. After the session, the evaluator only tells the court whether you reached an agreement—nothing more.

FENE (Financial Early Neutral Evaluation): FENE is an ENE process that focuses on financial issues involved in a family court case, such as child support, dividing marital property, debts, and retirement plans. In FENE, one evaluator typically works on the case.

SENE (Social Early Neutral Evaluation): SENE is an ENE process that focuses on custody, parenting time, holiday schedules, and other non-financial issues related to the child(ren). In SENE, a two-person team of Neutrals typically work on the case.

ICMC (Initial Case Management Conference): ICMC is the first meeting with the judge after a case is filed. It’s a casual, off-the-record court appearance designed to help everyone focus on resolving issues early and efficiently.

At the ICMC, the judge will:

• Explain options like Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE) and other ways to settle outside of court

• Set timelines and track the progress of the case

• Review what’s been done so far and what still needs to happen

• Schedule any future court dates, if needed

The court will schedule the ICMC shortly after the case is filed. Attendance is mandatory for all parties (and their attorneys, if they have one). You may be asked to complete an ICMC data sheet—if so, make sure to fill it out and return it before your court date as instructed.