Q: Can I legally perform mediation for divorce from my husband if both of us agree on the terms?
Terms defined would be finances and visitation of my two teenage sons. Could you also suggest any reading resources?
A: Mediation involves a 3rd party neutral professional. It seems you're considering a marital settlement agreement via negotiations with the dad. Child custody orders, including child support, should be issued by a Court to be legally valid. See: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-child-custody-and-parenting-time. You may be wise to have a lawyer handle these negotiations, draft a proposed settlement agreement, and file it in Court seeking an Order on the agreed terms. This process is called a Collaborative Divorce. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/ publications on my law practice website, www.AliEsq.com. I practice law in California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington State, and the District of Columbia in the following areas of law: Business & Contracts, Criminal Defense, Divorce & Child Custody, and Education Law. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions, guarantees, or warranties; or create any Attorney-Client relationship.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
