Mediation And Collaboration: Alternatives To Divorce And Custody Litigation
Last updated on July 10, 2026
There is a time and place for litigation. But for the right cases there are other ways to get the right results.
The law firm of Welty Esposito & Wieler LLC offers mediation services to help people resolve disputes with less cost, less animosity and better outcomes. We also offer participation in the collaborative divorce process, which takes litigation off the table and creates a more productive atmosphere for negotiations. Additionally, we can represent you in a private mediation involving both lawyers, both parties and an independent mediator agreed to by both sides.
We invite couples and co-parents in conflict to explore the options with our experienced legal team.
Benefits Of Choosing Family Mediation
Family mediation can be beneficial for unmarried couples and LGBTQ+ families because it provides a flexible and non-adversarial forum for resolving family disputes in a way that reflects their unique circumstances. Unlike traditional court proceedings, mediation allows parties to address issues such as parenting arrangements, financial responsibilities, marital asset division and ongoing co-parenting concerns through tailored agreements rather than rigid legal outcomes.
Attorneys Martha Wieler and Thomas Esposito have years of training and experience as divorce mediators. They are also skilled litigators who regularly try cases in the Connecticut family courts. We understand what a judge is going to require in a divorce settlement or custody agreement. Those insights help us guide you efficiently and effectively to a practical result.
Keeping Your Divorce Matters Private
Divorcing parties can also choose to take a matter to private mediation, where they are represented by counsel, after engaging in the initial stages of the divorce process. This is often a preferred resolution to a divorce that has some level of complication but where the parties do not wish to take the matter to trial.
The lawyers at Welty Esposito & Wieler LLC can play many roles in the divorce mediation process. We can serve as the mediator in which we do not represent or favor either party. We act as “review counsel,” where we advise clients who are using a third-party mediator. Our lawyers prepare you for the mediation sessions and provide legal counsel during the process to answer questions and protect your interests.
By encouraging open communication and mutually acceptable solutions, mediation can reduce conflict privately and help the parties reach resolutions that are both practical and respectful for everyone involved.
Litigators Make Good Mediators
Mediators who never go to court can produce flawed or unrealistic agreements. As trial lawyers who also mediate, we have a firm grasp on where and why negotiations break down, what a reasonable resolution should look like, and what will and will not pass muster with the judge.
To discuss mediation or collaborative law in more detail, please call 203-902-5760 to arrange a consultation, or contact us online.
The Collaborative Divorce Process
Thomas Esposito is trained in the collaborative divorce process, another method for resolving complex family matters out of court. We always try to engage productively and respectfully with other attorneys, but the collaborative divorce process is different.
The parties and their attorneys sign a formal agreement not to litigate. This forces you to work through the issues. If either side backs out, you will have to hire different lawyers to represent you in court.
The collaborative divorce process incorporates other professionals in the negotiations, such as parenting coaches, mental health counselors and financial planners. This holistic approach is conducive to thoughtful discussions and lasting results.
The collaborative divorce process requires two people to engage in good faith and commit to moving the process forward. It won’t work unless that is a real and honest commitment.
Schedule A Consultation Today
To discuss mediation or collaborative law in more detail, please call 203-902-5760 to arrange a consultation, or contact us online. We take cases in New Haven, Middlesex, Hartford and Fairfield counties and throughout Connecticut.
