Family Law Mediation Attorneys Serving Washington County, PA

Some of the most important decisions in a divorce or custody matter do not have to be made by a judge. Mediation gives you and your former spouse the ability to reach those decisions together, with the guidance of a neutral third party who understands the law and the process. It is not the right path for every situation, but for those it fits, it can be faster, less costly, and far less adversarial than contested litigation.

Notaro Family Law Group, P.C. has been mediating family law cases across Southwestern Pennsylvania for over two decades. If you are a Washington County resident considering whether mediation is right for your situation, we can help you find out.

Contact Notaro Family Law Group, P.C. online or call (412) 281-1988 to schedule free consultation today.

What Mediation Actually Is & What It Is Not

Mediation is a voluntary process in which both parties meet with a trained, neutral mediator to work through the issues in their case. The mediator does not represent either party, take sides, or give legal advice. What a mediator can do is provide legal information, help both parties understand the full scope of the issues on the table, and guide a productive conversation toward resolution.

A mediator's role is to facilitate, not to advocate. If you want someone in your corner giving you legal advice and representing your interests alone, that is what a retained attorney does. Some clients choose both: they use mediation to reach agreement, then have an independent attorney review or formalize the paperwork before it is finalized. That approach is entirely reasonable and one we can discuss with you.

If mediation is successful, the result is a memorandum of understanding or mediated agreement that both parties sign. That agreement then forms the foundation of the legal documents used to finalize the divorce or resolve the custody matter.

What Can Be Mediated

Mediation is more flexible than many people expect. It is available even in cases that have already been filed with the court, and it can address the full range of issues that arise in a divorce or family matter, including:

• Property and asset division, including the marital home, retirement accounts, investments, and jointly held property
• Child custody and parenting schedules, including physical custody, legal custody, holiday arrangements, and decision-making for education, healthcare, and other matters
• Child support, including the application of Pennsylvania guidelines and how individual expenses will be handled between the parties
• Alimony and spousal support, including amount, duration, and conditions
• Separation agreements, for couples who are not yet seeking divorce but need a structured arrangement in place

In some cases, one or two sessions are all it takes. In others, the process takes longer, depending on the complexity of the issues and how much the parties have already worked through on their own. Either way, the pace is determined by you and your spouse, not by a court calendar.

Is Mediation Right for Your Situation?

Mediation works well when both parties are willing to engage in good faith, even if they disagree on a number of issues. It is not limited to cases where everything is already settled. Some of the most productive mediations begin with parties who have significant disagreements but a shared preference for resolving things without extended litigation.

It is generally not the right fit when there is a significant power imbalance between the parties, when domestic abuse is a factor, or when one party is unwilling to participate honestly in the process. In those situations, having an attorney who represents your interests alone is the more appropriate path.

If you are not sure which applies to your situation, a consultation with our team is the right place to start. We will ask the right questions and give you an honest assessment, not a sales pitch.

Who Leads Our Mediation Practice

Our managing partner Attorney Bethany L. Notaro, Esq. is a certified professional mediator, trained at the Pittsburgh Mediation Center, and has been mediating family law cases for over two decades. She leads our firm’s collaborative mediation practice.

The broader team at Notaro Family Law Group, P.C. brings mediation training and backgrounds that directly support the process. Several attorneys hold formal mediation certificates and have worked with clients both as mediators and as independent counsel for parties going through mediation elsewhere. That range of experience — understanding the process from both sides of the table — informs how we guide clients who are deciding whether to mediate and what to expect.

A Fixed-Fee Mediation Option

If you are ready to begin, Notaro Family Law Group, P.C. offers a fixed-fee mediation service: 2.5 hours of mediation and a mediated agreement for $2,500. A meeting is scheduled at the time of purchase so we can walk you through the process, confirm that no conflicts exist, and address any initial questions before the mediation begins. If anything at that meeting prevents us from proceeding, you receive a full refund.

This service is designed for parties who are ready to engage and are looking for a structured, defined path forward.

Working with Notaro Family Law Group, P.C. in Washington County

At Notaro Family Law Group, P.C., we handle exclusively family law, and that focus means the attorneys and mediators on our team bring a depth of experience to every matter — whether it ends at a mediated agreement or continues into litigation.

If you have questions about the process, want to understand how mediation might work in your specific circumstances, or are ready to schedule a session, we are here. Free informational calls are available with our team at no charge. A paid planning session with an attorney, ranging from $95 to $425, is available if you want formal legal guidance before deciding how to proceed.

To get started, call (412) 281-1988 or reach out online. There is no obligation, and an informational call costs you nothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the other party have to agree to mediate? 

Yes. Mediation is a voluntary process and requires both parties to participate willingly. If one party is unwilling, mediation cannot move forward, and a different approach will be needed.

Can I have my own attorney during mediation? 

Yes. Having independent legal counsel during mediation is entirely appropriate and often advisable. Your attorney can advise you privately, review any agreement before you sign it, and handle the formal legal documentation once mediation concludes. The mediator represents neither party.

What happens if we cannot reach an agreement in mediation? 

If mediation does not produce a full agreement, the parties are not bound to anything that was discussed, and the case can proceed through the court process. Nothing said in mediation can be used against either party in subsequent proceedings.

How is mediation different from what happens in court?

In a court process, contested divorce matters are referred to a Divorce Hearing Officer and custody matters are handled through Custody Conference Officers, with a Family Court Judge making final determinations if no agreement is reached. In mediation, you and your spouse make those determinations yourselves, with the mediator's guidance. The outcome is an agreement you both created rather than an order imposed on you.