Family Mediation
Updated May 2026
By Joy Crafts McNaughton, J.D.
Joy Crafts McNaughton provides private family mediation throughout Maine and southern New Hampshire. Contact Joy at (207) 712-8995 to schedule a session.
Maine courts may order family mediation under Title 19-A §251 before scheduling a contested hearing.
Private mediation can occur before, during, or after court proceedings — on the parties' own schedule.
Joy McNaughton is a rostered Maine CADRES family mediator with 200+ court-connected mediations.
Family mediation is confidential — nothing said in mediation is admissible in court.
Sessions available in-person in Wiscasset, ME, or by Zoom statewide.
Family mediation is a voluntary, confidential process in which a neutral third party — the mediator — helps family members reach agreements on disputed issues. The mediator does not decide the case. The mediator facilitates communication, helps the parties identify their interests, and assists them in reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.
Family mediation is used to resolve disputes involving divorce, parental rights and responsibilities, child support, post-judgment modifications, grandparent visitation, and other family matters. Mediation is particularly well-suited for families with ongoing relationships — parents who will continue to co-parent after a divorce, or siblings who will continue to interact after an estate dispute.
40
2021
51
2022
43
2023
47
2024
181+
Total
Maine Title 19-A §251 authorizes courts to order mediation in family matters. Courts typically order mediation when:
A divorce involves contested issues of property division, parental rights, or child support
A post-judgment modification is contested
A parental rights dispute is contested
The court determines that mediation may help the parties reach an agreement
Maine Title 19-A §251: "The court may order the parties to participate in mediation before scheduling a contested hearing on any issue in a family matter proceeding."
| Aspect | Private Mediation | Contested Court Process |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Fully confidential — no public record | Public court proceedings and records |
| Schedule | Parties choose the date and time | Court-assigned dates, often months away |
| Cost | Typically a fraction of litigation cost | Attorney fees, filing fees, expert witnesses |
| Control | Parties control the outcome | Judge or jury decides the outcome |
| Relationships | Designed to preserve relationships | Adversarial process often damages relationships |
| Duration | Most cases resolve in 1–3 sessions | Cases can take 12–24 months to resolve |
| Flexibility | Creative, customized solutions possible | Limited to remedies available under law |
1
Contact Joy McNaughton to discuss your matter and schedule a mediation session. Joy will confirm the date, time, and format with all parties.
2
Each party prepares a brief summary of the disputed issues and their goals for the mediation. Joy McNaughton reviews the information before the session.
3
The mediation begins with a joint session in which Joy McNaughton explains the process and the ground rules. Each party has an opportunity to describe their concerns.
4
The parties work through each disputed issue, with Joy McNaughton facilitating discussion and helping the parties identify options and trade-offs.
5
If the parties reach an agreement, Joy McNaughton assists them in documenting the terms. If no agreement is reached, the parties are free to continue litigation.
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Sessions available on your schedule — evenings and weekends by arrangement.
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In-person in Wiscasset, ME. Remote sessions by Zoom statewide.
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Nothing said in mediation is admissible in court or disclosed to third parties.
Family mediation is a voluntary, confidential process in which a neutral third party — the mediator — helps family members reach agreements on disputed issues. The mediator does not decide the case; the parties retain full control over the outcome.
Maine courts may order mediation in family matters under Maine Title 19-A §251. In divorce cases involving contested issues, mediation is typically required before the court will schedule a contested hearing. Parties may also agree to private mediation voluntarily.
Joy McNaughton mediates divorce, parental rights and responsibilities, child support, post-judgment modifications, grandparent visitation, and other family disputes throughout Maine and southern New Hampshire.
Most family mediation sessions are scheduled for two to three hours. Complex cases involving multiple disputed issues may require multiple sessions. Joy McNaughton works with the parties to schedule sessions at times that are convenient for everyone.
CADRES (Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Service) mediators are rostered by the Maine courts and conduct court-ordered mediations at a reduced rate. Private mediation is arranged directly between the parties and the mediator, without court involvement. Private mediation can occur before, during, or after court proceedings.
Yes. Joy McNaughton is a rostered Maine CADRES family mediator. She has conducted more than 200 court-connected family mediations through the CADRES program between 2021 and 2024.
No. Joy McNaughton operates as a pure neutral in every mediation session. She does not represent either party, does not advocate for either side, and does not provide legal advice during mediation. Parties are encouraged to consult with their own attorneys before and after mediation sessions.
If mediation does not result in an agreement, the parties are free to continue litigation. Nothing said or offered during mediation is admissible in court. The mediation process is entirely confidential under Maine's mediation confidentiality statute.
Joy McNaughton conducts in-person mediation sessions at her office at 24 Foye Road, Wiscasset, ME 04578. Remote sessions are available by Zoom throughout Maine and southern New Hampshire.
Contact Joy McNaughton directly at (207) 712-8995 or joycraftsmcnaughton@gmail.com to discuss your matter and schedule a private mediation session.
JM
Licensed Maine attorney and rostered Maine CADRES family mediator. Provides private family mediation throughout Maine and southern New Hampshire. Contact: (207) 712-8995
Joy McNaughton provides private family mediation throughout Maine and southern New Hampshire. In-person in Wiscasset, ME. Remote via Zoom statewide.