Less expensive. Mediation is almost always less expensive than a court-involved divorce.

Faster. Mediated divorces normally settle in a few sessions, unlike the many months that a court divorce can last.

Private. Court is a public forum. The most intimate aspects of your life can be aired. On the other hand, mediation is private, letting you preserve your dignity.

Flexibility. You choose the times to meet, on your schedule, not the court’s.

Success. With a mediated settlement, you’re far less likely to return to court with future disputes. Mediation truly is the civil approach that allows you to move on with your life.

Control. Mediation lets you control the decisions that affect you most. The court process is simply not designed that way.

Initial Phone Call. You and I will discuss any questions you may have about mediation. We’ll schedule a time for you, your spouse, and me to meet.

Checklist. I’ll e-mail you a checklist of matters that need to be addressed in a solid divorce agreement. Ideally, you and your spouse will complete this checklist together.

First Meeting . We’ll review your decisions, and we'll discuss anything you haven’t resolved. On a different note, the first meeting lets us get to know each other. You get the opportunity to decide if we’re a good “fit” and if mediation is right for you.

Agreement Drafted. Within 3 to 4 business days, I’ll send you a draft of your divorce agreement. This agreement may have some gaps in it, as you may not have agreed on everything just yet.

Meetings. We’ll meet again as needed to resolve any matters that remain open. I’ll then e-mail the updated agreement to you. I urge you to review it with an independent attorney, although you’re not required to do this.

Final Meeting. Once you both tell me that the agreement is acceptable, I’ll prepare all the documents needed to file a “no-fault” divorce. We’ll then schedule a time for you to sign the papers and to discuss your court date.

Court. In Massachusetts, you’re required to go to court to have a judge review your agreement. I’ll fully prepare you about where to go, who to see, and what to say. As a way to reduce any anxiety you may be feeling, I'll also be on-call when you're in court.