Family & Divorce Mediation

Mediation, or Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), is a pathway for individuals and families seeking a structured, facilitated process to resolve conflict. Mediation is appropriate course of action to take when you are not looking for therapy, or when you wish to avoid the time and expense of full court proceedings.

What is mediation?

structured - conducted by a neutral, or
an unbiased third-party
confidential - a safe, private way to negotiate, whereas court proceedings
may be open to the public
lower-cost than bringing a dispute through a court proceeding, sometimes up to 70 - 90% less expensive
future-focused, rather than assigning blame for what may have already happened

What is mediation not?

not a trial - mediators are not judges
and mediation does not take place in a courtroom
not therapy - individuals seeking mediation are looking for a structured, facilitated process in executing a written agreement, not therapeutic growth
not arbitration - mediators support
you in making the final decisions yourselves
not a competition - there are no
“winners” or “losers”

District offers human-centered, value-driven dispute resolution for families in conflict.

District staff are certified under the Massachusetts Confidentiality Statute (MGL ch233 sec 23C) and Rule 8(c)(i) of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s Uniform Rules on Dispute Resolution. Families may seek District’s dispute resolution/mediation service for any of the following:

Divorce

End-of-Life Decisions

Special Ed./Disability

Co-Parenting

Estate Disputes

Interfamilial Conflict