What is mediation?

Mediation is a cooperative, voluntary process by which people can solve problems outside of court. With the assistance of a trained mediator, families dealing with divorce, child custody and parenting time challenges and related issues are guided toward practical resolutions through a process that is solution-oriented, and not adversarial. Through my law office, I offer services designed to bring positive, cost-effective resolution to family law problems.

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Practice Areas

Divorce

Custody

Mediation

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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… Read More

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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 usu… 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 need… Read More

What is mediation?

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