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Probate
and Family Court Department
ALTERNATIVE
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Probate and Family
Court Department
Alternative Dispute Resolution, or "ADR",
is the general term for ways of settling disputes other than
by the traditional trial. In Massachusetts, court-connected dispute
resolution services involve a neutral third party (a "neutral")
helping the people in the case (the "parties") to settle their
dispute without a trial. In some types of ADR,
such as mediation, conciliation and dispute intervention, the
neutral helps the parties create their own resolution. In other
forms of ADR, such as arbitration, the neutral makes a decision
for the parties. You may want to speak with an attorney to help
you decide which process would be appropriate in your particular
situation.
Although
some neutrals are attorneys who also practice law, ethical rules
prohibit neutrals serving in court-connected ADR programs from
providing legal advice in connection with the dispute resolution
process. Because any agreement that you make will have long-lasting
effects, you should consult with an attorney during the ADR process
and a lawyer should review any agreement before you sign it.
If you reach an agreement in a case which is in the Probate and
Family Court, the agreement is subject to review by a judge.
If the judge approves the agreement, it will become part of a
court order or judgment which either party can ask the court
to enforce in the future.
The
Probate and Family Court has approved court-connected programs
to receive referrals for ADR services from judges and other court
staff. While individuals may seek ADR services from programs
which are not court-connected, a primary benefit of obtaining
services from the approved programs is that they have met a recognized
threshold of quality. The programs monitor quality and compliance
with ethical rules established for court-connected dispute resolution
services.
There
are fourteen "Divisions" of the Probate and Family Court, one
for each county. A list of the individuals who are serving as
Local Dispute Resolution Coordinators appears below. These individuals
can provide information about ADR programs approved for use in
their Division and may refer you to one or more programs which
may help you resolve your dispute.
LOCAL
DISPUTE RESOLUTION COORDINATORS
Revised: November
2007 |
Barnstable
Division
Michael Stevens
Barnstable Probate and Family Court
Main Street - P.O. Box 346
Barnstable, MA 02630
(508) 375-6718
FAX: (508)-362-3662 |
Berkshire
Division
Clement Ferris
Berkshire Probate and Family Court
44 Bank Row
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 442-6941 ext. 7209
FAX: (413)
443-3430 |
Bristol
Division
Tricia Poole
Bristol Probate and Family Court
505 Pleasant Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 999-5249 ext. 225
FAX: (508)
822-9837 |
Essex
Division
Julie Stiles Matuschak
Essex Probate and Family Court
36 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 744-1020 ext. 324
FAX: (978)
741-2957 |
Franklin
Division
Jodie Nolan
Franklin Probate and Family Court
P.O. Box 590
Greenfield, MA 01302
(413) 774-7011
FAX: (413)
774-3829 |
Hampden
Division
Elizabeth
Sickelco
Hampden Probate and Family Court
50 State Street
Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 735-6054
FAX: (413)
781-5605 |
Hampshire
Division
Beth Crawford
Hampshire Probate and Family Court
33 King Street;
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 586-8500 ext. 259
FAX: (413)
584-1132 |
Middlesex
Division
Alison McCrone & Krishna Butaney
Middlesex Probate and Family Court
208 Cambridge Street; P.O. Box 410-480
E. Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 768-5843 (Alison McCrone)
(617) 768-5853 (Krishna Butaney)
FAX: (617)
494-6710 |
Norfolk
Division
Edmund Harrington
Norfolk Probate and Family
Court
35 Shawmut Road
Canton, MA 02021
(781) 830-4356
FAX: (781)
830-4310 |
Plymouth
Division
Kathleen Nagle
Plymouth Probate and Family Court
215 Main Street - P.O. Box 7277
Brockton, MA 02303-7277
(508) 897-5487
FAX: (508)
897-5435 |
Suffolk
Division
Daniel Gibson
Suffolk Probate and Family Court
24 New Chardon Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 788-8359
FAX: (617)
788-8962 |
Worcester
Division
Kathleen Brown
Worcester Probate and Family Court
225 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 831-2200 ext.2208
Fax (508)
720-0820 |
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