Devlin Farmer, Esq., 16 Center St., Suite 309, Northampton, MA 01060
family lawI can assist you with all family law matters whether you are creating a new family unit or dissolving a past relationship. For example I can assist with the following legal issues:
I have represented parents and children in Hampshire's new Family Resolutions Specialty Court (FRSC), which offers a kinder and more supported alternative to traditional court. FRSC also recently appointed me as a Team Coordinator. I strongly support FRSC as an alternative to court. I also offer Limited Assistance Representation (LAR) LAR means that I do a discrete task or tasks and you do other tasks. In other words, I do not represent you for everything, rather I help you by, for example, providing legal advice, writing a letter, preparing court papers or other tasks you may need. How it works: Call my office to schedule a confidential, free initial consultation. |
mediationAs a certified and experienced mediator, I help parties find a mutually agreeable resolution of areas of conflict. In my experience, mediation leads to the most affordable resolution of legal disputes. Like Collaborative Law, it offers hope for a continued working relationship with the other side, especially in the context of children's issues and wills or elder care disputes. Video (Zoom) or phone mediation available. I teach mediation at Western New England University School of Law.
Mediation is confidential and therefore an ideal way to resolve conflicts outside of the public court system. 
Mediation is faster than litigation.
Sessions may run from 90 minutes to two hours, either online or in person. The number of sessions needed to reach agreement can typically range from two to six. I will give you a range typical for your situation when we have our initial consultation. Mediation is pay as you go and most parties share my fee. I offer mediation in the following areas of law:
How it works: Call my office for a free pre-mediation screening over the phone. Wondering how to hire a mediator? Read this. |
collaborative lawLet a team of professionals help you! I am a trained Collaborative Lawyer and past President of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council. I have more than a decade of experience working on significant collaborative matters including high conflict cases. I have also played a leading role in training other lawyers in Collaborative Law, in the Western Mass Collaborative group and on task forces and committees such as the Access to Collaborative committee of MCLC. I am part of a team that is working on getting the Uniform Collaborative Law Act passed in Massachusetts.
Collaborative Law is an approach to a legal dispute where your lawyer works collaboratively with the other side's lawyer, as well as other needed team players such as Divorce Coaches and a financial planner. In Collaborative Law, the parties and their collaborative professionals agree NOT to go to court. In my experience, Collaborative Law offers the most holistic, creative, needs based and effective resolution of legal disputes, especially family breakdown. It is bespoke tailoring versus "off the rack" Court. The harmful impact of litigation on the parties and their families is avoided and the harmful effects of separation are addressed directly. It works better than mediation because it has a built in process to get you ready for negotiating a settlement agreement. Collaborative Law is affordable, typically costing only a fraction of the cost of a trial. I am committed to making this ideal conflict resolution tool affordable for everyone. How it works: Call my office to schedule a confidential, free initial consultation. |
|
Call (413) 586-5989 for a free initial consultation.
|
Recent News
January, 2025 -- The Massachusetts Parentage Act went into effect on January 1, 2025. It updates the state’s parentage law so that it is clear, equitable, and provides legal protection for all families, including LGBTQ+ families and families formed through assisted reproduction.
January, 2024 -- The landscape of family law is changing rapidly. If you are worried about the amount of child support or alimony you are currently paying and whether it is still fair, call for a confidential consult and ask about a flat-rate case review.
October 5, 2023 -- I am presenting at the Mass Collaborative Law Council's Roundtable as part of a panel on the new Family Resolutions Specialty Court (FRSC).
September 17, 2021 -- New Child Support Guidelines go into effect Oct. 4, 2021. You can now access the new Guidelines worksheet to calculate support. I am offering a flat rate consult to calculate support scenarios for clients under the new Guidelines.
December 3, 2022 -- New caselaw (Cavanagh v Cavanagh) and legislation (Millionaire's tax) is affecting family law in MA.
January, 2024 -- The landscape of family law is changing rapidly. If you are worried about the amount of child support or alimony you are currently paying and whether it is still fair, call for a confidential consult and ask about a flat-rate case review.
October 5, 2023 -- I am presenting at the Mass Collaborative Law Council's Roundtable as part of a panel on the new Family Resolutions Specialty Court (FRSC).
September 17, 2021 -- New Child Support Guidelines go into effect Oct. 4, 2021. You can now access the new Guidelines worksheet to calculate support. I am offering a flat rate consult to calculate support scenarios for clients under the new Guidelines.
December 3, 2022 -- New caselaw (Cavanagh v Cavanagh) and legislation (Millionaire's tax) is affecting family law in MA.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this website is meant to be legal advice. If you are seeking legal advice, you should communicate directly with a lawyer. The material on this website is provided for informational purposes only. The transmission of this information, and any response, does not constitute legal advice and does not create or imply an attorney-client relationship. Readers should not act or rely on any information provided herein without consulting legal counsel (i.e. an attorney).This website is attorney advertising.