Divorce Mediation Lawyers in Salem, MA

Mediation As An Option to Avoiding the Cost & Stress of Litigating Family Law Matters

Mediation is another way to settle family law matters through collaboration and cooperation. In mediation, an unbiased third party, the mediator, helps you and your spouse find mutually beneficial ways to settle your divorce or other family law matters.

If you are interested in resolving your differences without the financial costs and the emotional stress of a trial, mediation may be the answer.

Koiles Pratt Family Law Group mediates family law matters in Salem, Boston, the North Shore, and throughout Massachusetts to help couples reach an agreed resolution. As mediators, our role is to serve as a neutral third party, facilitating a cooperative process to help you find common ground.

Because mediators must remain neutral to both spouses, we cannot serve as mediators and attorneys in the same matters. If you'd like your own attorney to advise you during your mediation with us, you're entitled to that, and we're happy to help you find the right fit for your situation.

Discuss your needs and goals with a Salem divorce mediation attorney by contacting us online or at (978) 744-7774 for an in-office or virtual consultation. 

Divorce Issues We Can Resolve Through Mediation

Mediation can be an effective approach to resolving all disputes related to or arising out of divorce, including:

• Child custody and parenting plans. We help you and your spouse work out a custody arrangement and parenting plan that reflects your children's actual needs and routines.
• Child support. We help you reach an agreement on support obligations, including child care and health insurance coverage.
• Alimony or spousal support. We help you work through whether alimony is appropriate and, if so, how much and for how long.
• Marital property settlements. We help you negotiate an equitable division of your debts and assets directly, rather than leaving that decision to a judge.

It’s a common misconception that complex divorces can’t be resolved through the mediation process. From straightforward to highly complex cases, we’ve helped mediate matters involving significant marital assets, business interests, and other complicated financial issues. 

Benefits of Mediation

Mediation offers several advantages: 

• Privacy. Divorce court proceedings are a public record. Mediation lets you resolve your case privately, outside the courtroom.
• Time. Litigating a complex divorce can take months or years. Mediated cases, even complex ones, often settle faster.
• Cost. When you add up the fees associated with litigation, mediation is typically less expensive overall.
• More control over the outcome. You participate directly in shaping the resolution, rather than leaving decisions to a judge's discretion.

Is Mediation Required in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts law doesn't require couples to attempt mediation before filing for divorce; the process is voluntary in most cases. That said, judges can and sometimes do order parties in a contested case, including custody disputes, into court-connected mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution as part of case management before trial. 

Whether mediation is right for your situation is something we can help you think through.

Consult a Salem Divorce Mediation Lawyer About Your Case

Every family's situation is different, and mediation may not be appropriate for every case. But if you and your spouse are willing to work toward a resolution together, it's often the path that avoids more stress, time, and expense. 

Contact our Salem or Boston office today to talk through your situation and find out whether mediation makes sense for your family.

Call (978) 744-7774 or contact us online to book a divorce mediation consultation.