Mediation Services

Divorce and Family Mediators Serving all of Massachusetts

When serving as a mediator, we are neutral facilitators working with clients to solve problems through information sharing, guided conversations, and other supportive techniques. The goal is to resolve issues cooperatively, so each participant in the mediation process benefits from workable and lasting solutions that meet the participants’ practical, social, and emotional concerns as much as possible.

Unlike the adversarial court and litigation process, mediation is a thoughtful alternative allowing participants to take charge of their own conflicts and solutions, while still working with an experienced professional. That these results are achieved in a private setting, and almost always at a lower cost are additional benefits.

Although it is improper for a neutral mediator to provide specific legal advice to a participant, mediators may provide general information about a topic so participants can make well-informed decisions, and facilitate the exchange of information between the participants. Mediators help the parties review alternatives that may have been overlooked, and to identify shared interests and goals.

Mediation is not therapy, and the goal of meditation, when employed in the divorce context, is not to get a couple back together or to save the marriage.  Mediation can be used to help improve a marriage, but that is known as Mediation to Stay Married or Marital Mediation.  If you want more details about this service, please just get in touch with us.

Divorce Mediators … and more

Almost any type of conflict can be resolved through mediation. Stephen McDonough, the founder of Next Phase Legal, has additional specialized training in high-conflict mediation. Our mediation work relates to Massachusetts divorce and related family law issues including:

  • Modifying existing divorce and separation agreements
  • Parenting and custody
  • Child Support
  • Alimony adjustments
  • Contributions to College and Children’s Expenses
  • Relocation and Long-distance parenting
  • Elder & Adult Family Issues

Other misconceptions are that mediation is for situations where people have already resolved most issues, and that it is less effective for complex disputes.   This is not true, and the flexibility of the mediation process allows for more creative problem-solving than what a court may be able to accomplish.  Furthermore, mediation is successfully used in a variety of complex disputes, whether a high-asset divorce or complicated commercial dispute.

For additional information about resolving your dispute through mediation at Next Phase Legal & Dispute Resolution LLC, please call (508) 359-4043.

Additional content on our site, including information about our online mediation services, please visit the links below.