CONTACT
Contact Me
Collaborative-Divorce-Lawyer Valerie-J-Botter-Divorce-Mediator-MA
Creative Mediation Solutions
for Separation, Divorce,
and Co-Parenting
Creative Mediation Solutions
for Separation, Divorce,
and Co-Parenting
Wellesley | Northampton
Learn more
Wellesley | Northampton
Learn more

Divorce and Family Law Mediator

MINIMIZE CONFLICT WHILE SEPARATING, DIVORCING, AND CO‑PARENTING

While the decision to end a marriage or relationship is never easy, resolving custody, parenting time, support, and property division need not be difficult or unreasonably expensive. As a Massachusetts divorce and family law mediator, I meet with both parties and help facilitate a satisfactory settlement. A mediated divorce spares clients the expense and stress of protracted lawyer negotiations and/or a litigated process in which the Judge makes decisions about you and your family’s future.

Following decades of trial, negotiation, and mediation experience, I now focus my practice as a mediator for divorce and family law matters. This means that I no longer represent clients in litigated matters in Court, or in a traditional negotiation process. I also provide legal advice to individuals who are working with other mediators, and in select circumstances, I represent clients in the negotiation and drafting of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. My mediation services include mediating prenuptial and postnuptial agreements (with the understanding that each party will need independent counsel to advise them for the agreement to be enforceable), and I mediate post-separation and post-divorce issues including modifying parenting schedules and support obligations.

I meet with clients throughout Massachusetts on Zoom, and in person in Wellesley and Northampton.

Valerie Botter - Mediator

Find Out How I Can Help

If you are heading toward separation or divorce, or you need to resolve parenting or support issues with a former partner or ex-spouse, message me here to find out more about my services. I do not speak with potential mediation clients by telephone as I prefer to communicate with both parties by email for transparency. Initiating a message to me is the best way to begin the process to learn more about my mediation services.

CREATIVE AND PRAGMATIC
Dispute Resolution

As a mediator, I work directly with two individuals who have the desire and ability to work together to resolve their issues. My role as a mediator is to facilitate the creation of a mutually acceptable settlement that will be approved by the Judge in an uncontested Court hearing.

You Have Options

IS MEDIATION RIGHT FOR ME?

  • You are treated respectfully throughout the process.
  • The process is private and confidential.
  • Cooperation and compromise are valued.
  • Process helps preserve family relationships.
  • ADR saves significant money on legal fees.

TRADITIONAL NEGOTIATION AND LITIGATION

  • Process is often adversarial and contentious.
  • Damaged family relationships can result.
  • Children typically suffer when there is protracted conflict between parents.
  • Costs can be extremely high taking resources away from family needs.
  • If litigated, most of the Court file becomes public record.

TRADITIONAL NEGOTIATION

In a traditional negotiation, your attorney will negotiate directly with the other attorney.

While this can be a useful process when issues are complex or your former partner or co-parent is difficult to deal with, it can be more expensive and potentially result in you having less agency in the ultimate outcome. The success of this process also depends in large part on the settlement skills of the attorneys involved.

TRIAL

Trial is a last resort for resolving separation, divorce, and co-parenting issues. The process is long (typically at least 18 months from filing the Complaint until trial, and often longer), expensive, and removes control over the process from the parties to their attorneys and the Court.

The Court has the authority to make orders that may or may not reflect what either party requests for relief. We have excellent Judges in Massachusetts, but you may not be happy with some of the results after trial. And sometimes final Judgments are appealed, exacerbating the time and expense of the legal process even further.

MEDIATED SETTLEMENT

A mediated settlement involves both parties meeting with a mediator who facilitates settlement. Each party may retain an attorney for advice, and when helpful, the mediator meets with both clients and their attorneys.

Mediators do not make decisions about settlement, nor can a mediator provide legal advice (even if the mediator is an attorney) because the mediator serves as a neutral, not as an advocate. A mediator helps the parties identify the issues to be resolved, and meets with the parties to help work through those issues. If the parties request, a mediator can draft the Separation Agreement which is the settlement agreement that is submitted to the Court for approval.

A successful mediation requires both parties to fully and honestly disclose financial information, and to have the motivation and commitment to a respectful process, understanding that some compromise will be necessary in order to achieve a full settlement.

Who Are My Clients?

I represent clients and mediate family law matters in traditional and non-traditional families throughout Massachusetts, including:

  • Married Couples
  • Unmarried Couples
  • LGBTQIA+ Couples
  • Unmarried Parents
  • Formerly Married Couples and Individuals
  • Married Individuals

If you are interested in mediation or legal advice if you are working with another mediator, please message me here.

ABOUT ME

(Valerie) is ethical, diligent, caring, and doesn’t promise results that she can’t deliver. She’s very tuned into children’s needs whose parents are divorcing, and educates her clients about how to keep the children’s needs in the forefront and support their relationship with the other parent.

K.P.
5.0

Valerie is an extremely talented mediator with superb communication skills. She keeps her clients well informed of what is to be expected in terms of creating a separation agreement and preparing for court. She is professional, even in sticky situations, and has a great sense of humor, which is helpful in difficult times. The Valley is lucky to have Valerie as a resource and I highly recommend her.

A.A.
5.0

Valerie's Articles

Image of dog with paw to ear trying to listen.

Curiosity

Whether I’m serving as a mediator or a lawyer, I bring an open mind and curiosity about my clients and their family to the table. This enables me to gain a deeper understanding of the family dynamics, the needs of the children, and how to approach problem solving effectively.

MORE
VIEW ALL

MESSAGE ME

Complete the form below and I will respond promptly.

Contacting me via this contact form, by telephone, or by email does not
establish a mediator-client or attorney-client relationship.