Conciliation in Massachusetts Family Law

Conciliation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) where a neutral conciliator works with both parties to help negotiate a fair settlement. Unlike litigation, which leaves the decision to a judge, conciliation allows you and the other party to shape the outcome with professional guidance.

• Conciliation is often used for:
• Enforcement of court orders (contempt cases)
• Divorce settlements (property division, debts, retirement accounts)
• Child custody and parenting plans
• Child support and alimony (spousal support)
• Modifications to existing court orders

Conciliation can save families time, money, and stress compared to litigation. Key benefits include:

• Less conflict – Especially valuable for co-parents who must maintain an ongoing relationship.
• Faster resolution – Often completed in one or two sessions.
• Lower costs – Avoids lengthy court battles and excess legal fees.
• Confidential process – Unlike public court hearings, conciliation is private.
• Informed decisions – A conciliator provides feedback on how a judge might view each side’s case.

When you work with Koiles Pratt, here’s what you can expect:

• Settlement or Next Steps – If you reach an agreement, we formalize it for court approval. If not, you retain the right to pursue mediation or trial.
• Consultation – We review your situation and determine if conciliation is right for you.
• Preparation – Our attorneys gather financial documents, parenting schedules, and other key records.
• Conciliation Session – A neutral conciliator helps both sides evaluate options and negotiate.

• Conciliation: Neutral professional gives evaluative feedback and guides settlement.
• Mediation: Facilitator encourages dialogue but does not offer legal opinions. Learn more about mediation.
• Litigation: Judge decides in a formal courtroom trial.

Conciliation provides a middle ground — less adversarial than trial but more structured than mediation.