Is every case appropriate for mediation?

No. While most divorces can be settled through mediation, cases involving domestic violence, abuse, criminal allegations or inequality of bargaining power are not appropriate for mediation. During the intake process, every case is screened, and if your case is not suitable for mediation, I will let you know early in the process and mediation will not occur.

About Tom Kates

Thomas C. Kates

I have been a practicing attorney in West Michigan including Ottawa, Allegan, Kent and Muskegon Counties for over 25 years. My office is located in beautiful downtown Holland, Michigan and I serve clients in Holland, Grand Haven, Allegan, and all of Ottawa and Allegan Counties. I specialize in the vital practice areas of family law including divorce, child custody, support, parenting time and paternity. I earned a Juris Doctor degree in 1989 from Wayne State University Law School where I served…

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Q: My attorney tells me that I have a mediation coming up. I don’t know what to expect. Can you give me a general rundown of the process?

A: Mediations are not all the same, but most of them follow a general format that is somewhat predictable. If your attorney was involved in choosing the mediator, which is u… Read More

Q: I recently filed a complaint for divorce. My wife says she is opposed to the idea of divorce and intends to contest it. What does this mean?

A: Michigan is known as a no-fault divorce state. This means that, in order to obtain a judgment of divorce, the plaintiff, who is the person filing for divorce, does not ne… Read More

Is every case appropriate for mediation?

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