“The evidence to date suggests that mediated settlements in marital disputes simply last longer and work better than adjudicated settlements because the parties who helped craft the settlements have a greater stake in making them work” 

The Massachusetts Special Commission on Probate and Family Court Procedures

In my experience mediated divorces are likely to result in:

    *Protection of parenting relationships, so that children do not lose a parent because of divorce.

    *A financial settlement that assures both parties as much financial security as their circumstances will allow

    *Significantly less expense than a litigated divorce

    *A more cooperative parenting relationship post-divorce, and thus better adjustments for children

    *Improved communication between ex-spouses

    *A settlement that meets the specific needs and goals of your family, rather than allowing your settlement to be dictated solely by the legal system

    *Help for both parties in moving through the emotional stages of divorce

    *A divorce agreement that is fair and reasonable to both parties

    *An agreement that addresses future as well as present issues, so that it continues to work over time for both parties.

My job as a divorce mediator is to be neutral and impartial, while providing you both with essential information so that you can make all the necessary decisions yourselves.  Even if one party knows more than the other about finances, the settlement we achieve will be fair to both of you.

The process is entirely voluntary.  Either party is free to withdraw at any time, in which case the mediation ends. 

Mediation is confidential.  Neither party can use the mediator’s files or testimony in any possible future court dispute.

If your particular circumstances raise issues over which I do not have expertise, I will refer you for a consultation with experts who can help with that issue.

To satisfy the court requirement of “discovery”, part of mediation involves each client submitting documentation to me of all of your income, assets, insurance coverages, and debts.  No subpoenas or costly interrogatories will be needed.

As part of your mediation, I will assist you in filling out your court forms, and will write a document describing all of your agreements which you can take to an attorney to put into legal language before you file it at your county Family and Probate Court. 

I have good working relationships with, and can refer you to many mediation-friendly attorneys who can help you with this final step.

A former client says: 

“By the time my wife and I got to the divorce mediation state, I was terrified.....Lynn Cooper helped my wife and me envision--and then plan--a future where we could effectively co-parent our child, amicably divide our assets and get beyond the pain of divorce.  Lynn’s firm, professional and tenacious guidance was instrumental in helping us chart a path away from acting out of anger and towards acting out of reason and accommodation.”

“Lynn Cooper saved our family from the pain, expense, and lingering resentment of a typical court-ordered divorce settlement.”

“Lynn Cooper’s encyclopedic knowledge of divorce law, divorce mediation and family psychology saved our family the expense and rancor of court-ordered divorce.”