Probate Mediation

Probate mediation is a structured, confidential process that helps families and individuals resolve disputes related to guardianships, conservatorships, eldercare matters, wills, and estates outside of court.

A neutral mediator guides the conversation to support understanding, reduce conflict, and help the parties reach mutually acceptable agreements.

This type of mediation is particularly valuable in emotionally sensitive situations, where preserving family relationships and minimizing legal costs are priorities.

Our mediators are registered to conduct probate mediation in Georgia and are qualified to handle complex and sensitive family dynamics involving guardianship, conservatorship, and estate matters. We serve clients throughout the state, including both court-referred and private mediation cases.

Key Areas Addressed

  • Guardianship: Disputes over who should be responsible for the care of an incapacitated adult or minor.

  • Conservatorship: Conflicts regarding the management of a person’s finances or property when they are unable to do so themselves.

  • Estate Disputes: Issues involving the interpretation or validity of a will, distribution of assets, executor responsibilities, or claims by heirs or creditors.

  • Eldercare: Disagreements related to the care, housing, or financial well-being of aging family members, especially when multiple relatives are involved in decision-making.

Benefits of Probate Mediation

  • Offers a private, less adversarial alternative to court proceedings

  • Encourages communication and cooperation among family members

  • Preserves relationships and helps prevent long-term family division

  • Saves time and reduces the financial and emotional costs of litigation

  • Allows parties to craft creative, personalized solutions that a court might not be able to provide

Furthermore, having a mental health clinician serve as a probate mediator offers a unique advantage by combining clinical insight with legal understanding.

We are trained to assess mental capacity, manage high-conflict personalities, and navigate complex family dynamics—skills especially valuable in emotionally charged probate cases involving wills, guardianship, or potential allegations of undue influence.

This dual expertise makes our clinic particularly effective in bridging the gap between legal issues and human behavior.

Mediation Outcomes

Mediation may result in:

  • A full resolution with a signed agreement to be submitted to the court

  • A partial or temporary resolution, narrowing the scope of remaining issues

  • An impasse, meaning that no terms were agreed on in mediation