Fields and Dennis LLP

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You are here: Home / MEDIATION

MEDIATION

Massachusetts Mediation Lawyers | Divorce Mediators | Family Mediation Attorneys

In addition to other methods of resolving disputes, Fields and Dennis LLP can offer its clients our experience and skill in mediating their problems. The mediator will assist the parties in settling their dispute in one or more three-way meetings with the parties. The mediator’s goal is to have the parties reach an informed agreement that is based on a full and fair disclosure of all data relevant to the dispute.

In family law, spouses can choose to mediate all of the financial, visitation and custody issues which accompany any divorce, including division of the marital estate, pension benefits, maintenance, child support issues, custody and visitation. Issues which are most often covered in mediation include the following:

  • terms governing child custody
  • terms governing visitation
  • maintenance / unallocated support payments
  • structure of future payments in light of tax considerations
  • educational plans for the children
  • disposition of the marital residence
  • division of marital and non marital property
  • division of marital and non marital debt

Mediation offers those clients who are willing to sit down face-to-face with their spouses an opportunity to create their own settlement within the limits of the law. If two people wish to divorce amicably and simply need some help in understanding the laws governing distribution of marital assets, custody or visitation issues, mediation can quickly identify the issues and result in a negotiated settlement without the upset and significant costs associated with court action. Also where children are involved mediation is usually less confrontational and provides a setting for both parents to voice their concerns which often results in a more fine-tuned and agreeable joint parenting agreement.

More information about mediation:

Mediation
Roger Fisher, William Ury, “Getting to Yes”, Random House (1992)
Robert H. Mnookin and Lewis Kornhauser, “Bargaining in the Shadow of the Law: The Case for Divorce,” 88 Yale Law Journal 950 (1979)

Mediation – Relevant Case Law
Matter of Bott
Matter of Kafkas
Ventrice v. Ventrice

Mediator Confidentiality
G.L. c.233 s.23C
Is MCFM Membership Required to be Mediator?
Leary v. Geoghan (unpublished Single Justice opinion)

Mediator Ethics
AAML on Mediation Ethics
BBA Ethics Opinion 78-1
MBA Ethics Opinion 85-3
MCFM Certified Mediator Requirements
MCFM Standards of Practice

Contact the Massachusetts divorce mediation attorneys at Fields and Dennis for a confidential consultation.

The Massachusetts family mediation, divorce mediators, and dispute resolution attorneys at the Wellesley, MA law firm of Fields and Dennis LLP serve the Greater Boston region including Allston, Arlington, Boston, Brighton, Brookline, Chestnut Hill, Concord, Dedham, Dover, Lexington, Natick, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, and all Massachusetts.

Contact Us

Phone: 781.489.6776
Fax: 781.489.6233
80 William Street — Suite 210
Wellesley, MA 02481 USA

Recent Posts

Attorney Wendie E. Murstein Discusses Prenuptial Agreements on Going Solo Network (Video)

June 15, 2022

if you’re like most people, you probably don’t know too much about prenuptial agreements. Well, in this show, Attorney Wendie E. Murstein is going to change that. As she explains what a prenup is, how it works, how it can save you money and why you should consider signing one before getting married. So grab […]

Jonathan Crafts Quoted in Mass Lawyers Weekly – Defendant gets new trial after judge refuses to poll jury

June 14, 2022

Attorney Jonathan Crafts was quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly on the consequences of a judge’s refusal to allow a defendant to poll the jury, which resulted in a new trial. Please click on the link to read the full article (subscription only): https://masslawyersweekly.com/2022/06/10/defendant-gets-new-trial-after-judge-refuses-to-poll-jury/

Vicki L. Shemin J.D., LICSW, ACSW Contributed to a New Book on Family Conflict During the Pandemic

April 26, 2022

Family Conflict During a Pandemic: Stories of Struggle and Hope – [Print Replica]Kindle Edition Vicki L. Shemin J.D., LICSW, ACSW contributed a chapter in section 4, “Advice on co-operative co-parenting….”  The book highlights the continuing strain on families who are struggling with the consequence of the pandemic – illness and death, lockdowns, economic catastrophe, distance learning, […]

Jonathan Fields was featured in the fiftyplus advocate article “Gray divorce on the rise as gender equity, life expectancy increases”

February 6, 2022

The fiftyplus advocate featured Attorney Jonathan Fields on navigating divorce issues. Attorney Fields discussed some of the specific legal issues that are unique to gray divorce that must be considered when assessing financial matters, including mental competency concerns such as dementia. “From a lawyer’s perspective, a big concern is whether and to what extent each […]

FIELDS AND DENNIS LLP ANNUAL FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT: K9s FOR WARRIORS

December 21, 2021

Fields and Dennis LLP is once again sponsoring a fundraiser for K-9 for Warriors from Dec 13, 2021 – December 31, 2021.  K9s For Warriors provides highly-trained Service Dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma. With the majority of dogs coming from high-kill rescue shelters, this innovative program […]

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    Location

    FIELDS AND DENNIS LLP
    80 William Street — Suite 210
    Wellesley, MA 02481 USA
    (T) 781.489.6776
    (F) 781.489.6233

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    Recent Blogs

    • Attorney Wendie E. Murstein Discusses Prenuptial Agreements on Going Solo Network (Video)
    • Jonathan Crafts Quoted in Mass Lawyers Weekly – Defendant gets new trial after judge refuses to poll jury
    • Sheryl J. Dennis Quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly – Partition action dismissed after death of joint tenant
    • Vicki L. Shemin J.D., LICSW, ACSW Contributed to a New Book on Family Conflict During the Pandemic
    • Jonathan Fields was featured in the fiftyplus advocate article “Gray divorce on the rise as gender equity, life expectancy increases”

    Recent Firm News & Coverage

    • Attorney Wendie E. Murstein Discusses Prenuptial Agreements on Going Solo Network (Video)

    • Jonathan Crafts Quoted in Mass Lawyers Weekly – Defendant gets new trial after judge refuses to poll jury

    • Vicki L. Shemin J.D., LICSW, ACSW Contributed to a New Book on Family Conflict During the Pandemic

    • Jonathan Fields was featured in the fiftyplus advocate article “Gray divorce on the rise as gender equity, life expectancy increases”

    • FIELDS AND DENNIS LLP ANNUAL FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT: K9s FOR WARRIORS

    The Boston metro family law, divorce and estate planning attorneys at the law firm of Fields and Dennis LLP are based in the Newton Wellesley area and serve the city of Newton: Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Upper Falls, Newton Lower Falls, Nonantum, Oak Hill, Waban and West Newton and town of Wellesley: Babson Park, Wellesley Hills, Wellesley Square Fields and Dennis also serves many clients in the Greater Boston and Massachusetts region including Ashland, Dover, Holliston, Medfield, Needham, Sherborn, Westwood, and all of Massachusetts. Attorney Jonathan Fields is a recognized authority on bitcoin and divorce

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