Mediation

At Feinman & Childs Family Law, we offer mediation for families who want a more constructive way to resolve their disputes. We provide family law mediation services in divorce, custody, and support matters, as well as legal representation for clients who are participating in mediation.

Partner Lindsay H. Childs is a certified mediator and has also completed the specialized training required to serve as a Parenting Coordinator in Pennsylvania, including training in family mediation, domestic violence, and parenting coordination. She is listed as a certified Parenting Coordinator in Pennsylvania and regularly works with families in high-conflict parenting disputes.

When you choose Feinman & Childs for mediation, you are working with a team that is settlement-focused but fully prepared to litigate when necessary. Whether your matter is resolved in a cooperative mediation session or proceeds to a multi-day trial, your attorney stays with you from beginning to end.

Mediation as a Service at Feinman & Childs

Mediation at our firm is designed to give families a structured, respectful environment to resolve disputes outside of the courtroom. We offer mediation both as a neutral service and as advocates for clients who are working with a spouse and another mediator.

How We Offer Mediation Services

We tailor our mediation services to meet the needs of your case.

Private family law mediation

Partner Lindsay H. Childs serves as a neutral mediator to help both parties work through divorce, custody, and support issues in a structured, solution-oriented setting.

Post-judgment mediation

We assist with mediation after a court order is already in place, such as modifying custody schedules, support, or implementing terms that have become difficult in practice.

Counsel for parties in mediation

Our attorneys can represent one party during mediation conducted by another neutral party, ensuring you understand your rights and options before you agree to anything.

High-conflict parenting disputes

Drawing on parenting coordination training and experience, Ms. Childs is particularly well-equipped to help parents manage recurring disputes in a child-focused way.

What Is Family Law Mediation?

Family law mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). It is a voluntary, confidential process in which a neutral mediator helps parties identify issues, explore options, and work toward agreements. In Pennsylvania, state law authorizes courts to establish mediation programs for divorce and custody matters, and court rules set standards for court-connected custody mediation programs. Many counties now use some form of mediation or conciliation in family cases, but the exact procedures vary by county.

Issues Commonly Resolved in Mediation

Divorce and comprehensive marital settlement agreements
Child custody and parenting time schedules
Child support and related expenses
Spousal support / alimony
Division of marital property and debts
Post-divorce modifications to custody or support

Why Choose Mediation in Pennsylvania?

For many families, mediation offers a more practical, private, and less adversarial way to resolve disputes than a contested court hearing, and in many cases parties report higher long-term satisfaction with mediated outcomes.

Key Benefits of Mediation

Mediation provides several advantages that may make your case easier to manage.

Greater control over the outcome

You participate directly in shaping the agreement instead of leaving every decision to the court.

Potentially lower cost

Studies show that mediation and similar processes often have significantly lower total costs than fully litigated family law disputes.

Time savings

Mediation can often be scheduled and completed more quickly than waiting for a trial date on a crowded court docket.

Reduced conflict and stress

The format encourages problem-solving and communication, which can lessen emotional strain for both adults and children.

Privacy

Mediation sessions are private, unlike most court proceedings, which are generally open to the public.

Child-focused solutions

Mediation can support parenting arrangements tailored to your children’s specific needs, schedules, and developmental stages.

Why Work with Feinman & Childs for Mediation?

Mediation is most effective when the mediator and the lawyers involved understand both the human side of family conflict and the legal structure of Pennsylvania family law. Our firm offers both.

How Our Approach Helps You

Family attorneys Lindsay H. Childs and Sarinia M. Feinman - mediation - Feinman & Childs Family Law

We design our mediation practice around flexibility, preparation, and continuity.

Whether you are looking for a neutral mediator or an attorney to represent you in mediation, Feinman & Childs is prepared to help.

Settlement-focused, trial-ready representation

We pursue resolution through negotiation and mediation whenever appropriate, but we are fully prepared to take your case to court if needed.

One firm from start to finish

You do not need to change firms if your case transitions from mediation to litigation; your attorney remains by your side throughout.

Specialized training

In addition to her mediation certification, Ms. Childs’s certification as a Parenting Coordinator in Pennsylvania required focused training in family mediation and related areas, reflecting her experience with mediation-oriented work in challenging custody cases.

Our Role in Your Mediation

We guide you through each stage, whether we are serving as mediator or as your counsel.

Initial consultation and strategy

We discuss your goals and explain how mediation fits into Pennsylvania’s divorce and custody framework.

Preparation for mediation sessions

We help you gather documents, identify key issues, and think through possible solutions and areas of flexibility.

Guidance during mediation

When Ms. Childs serves as mediator, she facilitates discussion, helps clarify areas of agreement and disagreement, and guides both parties toward practical options.
When we serve as counsel, we advise you, help you evaluate proposals, and ensure that your rights are protected, either by attending the mediation with you or consulting with you before and after your mediation sessions.

Review and drafting of agreements

Once you reach agreements, we prepare or review the written settlement terms to confirm they are accurate, complete, and enforceable before submission to the court.

Transition to litigation if needed

If certain issues cannot be resolved in mediation, then if we are serving as your counsel, we can move forward in court while preserving the progress you have already made.

Our Commitment to Clients

At Feinman & Childs Family Law, our philosophy is that when you hire a lawyer, that lawyer should be ready for every twist and turn in your family law matter. Mediation, negotiation, hearings, and trial are all part of the same journey, and your attorney should be capable of walking that entire path with you.

What You Can Expect from Our Firm

We aim to provide both strong advocacy and steady, practical support.

Clear, honest communication about your risks, timelines, and realistic options

Strategic planning grounded in Pennsylvania family law and local court practices

Strong negotiation skills in mediation and settlement discussions

Trial expertise if your case requires a hearing or multi-day trial

Consistency and support from start to finish, regardless of how your case evolves

If you are considering family law mediation—whether you need a neutral mediator or an attorney to represent you in mediation, Feinman & Childs Family Law can help you explore your options. We will talk with you about your goals, your family’s needs, and whether mediation, litigation, or a combination of both offers the best path forward.

Contact our office to schedule a consultation with an experienced family law attorney.

Schedule a Mediation Consultation

Let’s Talk!

FAQs About Mediation in Pennsylvania

These FAQs provide general information about mediation in Pennsylvania. They are not a substitute for legal advice about your specific case.

Is mediation required in Pennsylvania divorce cases?

Mediation is generally not required in Pennsylvania divorce cases. Requirements and practices can vary by county, so it is important to consult with a lawyer familiar with your local court.

Is mediation required in Pennsylvania child custody cases?

Many counties use mediation or conciliation procedures in custody disputes, but the specifics, such as whether participation is mandatory and at what stage, differ from county to county.

What kinds of family issues can be resolved in mediation?

Mediation can be used to resolve most issues that would otherwise be decided by a judge in a family law case.

These often include:

Division of marital property and debts in divorce
Child custody and parenting plans
Child support and certain child-related expenses
Spousal support/alimony
Some post-divorce modifications

Is a mediated agreement legally binding?

The mediation session itself does not automatically create a binding order. Typically, agreements reached in mediation are recorded, reviewed by the parties and their lawyers, and then incorporated into a formal settlement agreement or court order. Once theyare codified, they become legally enforceable.

Do I still need a lawyer if I use mediation?

It is usually wise to have a lawyer even if you are mediating. Mediators are neutral and do not represent either party or provide legal advice. Professional standards for family mediation emphasize that participants should make informed choices and understand their rights and obligations.

Your attorney can:

Explain how Pennsylvania law applies to your situation
Help you prepare for sessions and evaluate options
Review any proposed agreement before it becomes final

What happens if mediation does not resolve everything?

If mediation does not fully resolve your case, any unresolved issues simply move forward in the regular court process. You do not lose your right to litigate by attempting mediation, and partial agreements reached in mediation can still be submitted to the court, which may save time and expense later.

Is mediation confidential in Pennsylvania?

Family mediation is generally treated as confidential, and rules governing court-connected mediation address mediator duties and confidentiality. The precise scope of confidentiality, including what can be shared with the court, depends on Pennsylvania law, local rules, and any specific program guidelines. Your attorney can explain how confidentiality will apply in your particular case.

Is mediation appropriate if there has been domestic violence or safety concerns?

Safety is crucial. Both Pennsylvania rules and national standards for family mediation emphasize that cases involving domestic violence or significant power imbalances require special screening and safeguards. In some situations, mediation may not be appropriate; in others, it may proceed only with modifications to protect vulnerable participants. If there is any history of domestic violence or safety concerns, it is essential to discuss this with your attorney before committing to mediation

Contact Feinman & Childs for Skilled Mediation Services

At Feinman & Childs Family Law, we understand that the way you resolve your family law matter can be just as important as the result itself. Mediation offers you a chance to be heard, to problem-solve, and to design solutions that truly fit your family, while preserving your ability to go to court if necessary. Whether you are seeking a neutral mediator or strong representation in mediation, our team is ready to stand with you. If you are considering mediation in Pennsylvania, we invite you to contact us and take the first step toward a more manageable, informed, and respectful way to resolve your family law dispute.

Practice Areas

We focus exclusively on family law issues, including

Arbitration in Divorce

Collaborative Divorce

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Mediation

Why Choose

Feinman & Childs Family Law

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