Fran Whyman, Esq.
My practice helps clients resolve their family law disputes without the unnecessary escalation of conflict.
Practice Details
The practice, Whyman Law and Mediation, is devoted to the out-of-court settlement of Family Law matters through the use of 3 dispute resolution options: Family Mediation, Collaborative Family Law, and Lawyer-to-Lawyer negotiation. I am one of a relatively small number of mediators in Massachusetts to have received the status of being a Certified mediator in family law by the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation. In mediation I work with both parties, face-to-face when possible, to help them reach agreement on the issues that need to be resolved for their divorce, modification of a previous divorce order, or other family law matter. When the parties are unable to meet face-to-face, I am able to meet with them via video conferencing. Mediation allows parties to work together in a respectful and confidential environment to generate solutions to their disagreements. In Collaborative Family Law cases I represent one of the parties in a face-to-face negotiation with the other party and his/her lawyer, to help identify creative solutions to all of the unresolved matters on which the parties need to reach agreement, such as the parenting plan, child and spousal support, health insurance, and the division of the marital assets, in the event of a divorce or the modification of a previous divorce order. In the event that a face-to-face meeting is not possible, the use of video conferencing may be an option. When the parties to a divorce or other family law dispute are not able to negotiate with one another through the use of Mediation or Collaborative Law, I help clients try to resolve a divorce, modification of a previous agreement or other family law matter, by negotiating directly with the other lawyer. In this "lawyer-to-lawyer" negotiation, I work with the other lawyer to try to find a solution that both parties believe is fair and reasonable. An initial consultation usually helps clients decide which process is right for them. Please feel free to contact me to schedule a meeting to determine which option is right for you.
Areas of practice include, for example, parenting plans, child and spousal support agreements, the division of marital assets, health care coverage, communication issues, prenuptial agreements, marital (post nuptial) agreements, divorce, and the modification of an existing separation agreement.
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Degrees and Experience
J.D., Magna Cum Laude, New England School of Law
M.A. English, Simmons College
B.A. English, New York University
Senior Year of College, Harvard University
Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation for Lawyers
Advanced Divorce Mediation Training
Marital Mediation Training
Advanced Elder Mediation Training
Collaborative Family Law Training
Certified Family Law Mediator
Professional Memberships
Past President, Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation (MCFM), 2014-2016
Board of Directors, Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation (MCFM), 2010-2022
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), national and MA. chapter
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council
Massachusetts Bar Association
Regional Information
Eastern Massachusetts, including Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Worcester counties
Fee Information
Please call for current fees; free 1/2 hour consultation; evening hours available
