Overview of services
Approved programs that offer mediation and other ADR services are allowed to charge fees, and their fee schedules offer fee waivers or reduced fees for indigent or low income litigants. Some approved programs don’t charge fees. In addition to programs that offer mediation, conciliation and arbitration, the Probate and Family Court has on-site dispute intervention services managed by the Office of the Commissioner of Probation (OCP) and directed by probation officers in each of the 14 court divisions. "Dispute intervention" is a process used in the Probate and Family Court where probation officers act as neutrals to help the parties understand issues where they disagree and help them solve these disagreements. There are no fees for this service, and a judge may require the parties to participate in dispute intervention.
When deciding whether to approve a program, the Probate and Family Court considers the program’s neutrals’ specialized training, including subjects like:
- Family law
- Family dynamics
- Child developmental issues
- Non-traditional families
- Divorce and tax consequences
- Domestic abuse
A judge may require parties and/or their lawyers to attend a "screening" for court connected dispute resolution services to decide whether or not these services are appropriate for them and to give the parties a chance to learn about the services. The programs listed have agreed to provide free screening services.
For more general information about dispute resolution services in the Probate and Family Court, please contact:
Lisa MacKenzie
Senior Program Manager
Probate and Family Court Administrative Office
3 Center Plaza, Suite 210
Boston, MA 02108
lisa.mackenzie@jud.state.ma.us
For specific information about dispute resolution on a case pending at a local Probate and Family Court location, please contact the local dispute resolution coordinator in that county.