Convenient
You want a divorce, not a war.
You and your spouse might not agree on everything, but you both know you’d rather make decisions together than hand them off to a judge.
You’re looking for a process that keeps things focused, private, and productive—something built to reach resolution, not escalate the conflict. That’s why many of our clients turn to divorce mediation.
At Ellis Family Law, P.L.L.C., we guide clients through the mediation process with respect, structure, and a focus on resolution. Mediation offers the opportunity to work through important decisions with more control and less collateral damage.
It’s not about pretending everything’s fine.
It’s about making sure the process doesn’t do more harm than it has to.
Mediation is a voluntary, non-adversarial process where both spouses and their attorneys work with a neutral third party (the mediator) to resolve divorce-related issues outside of court.
You can mediate:
Mediation gives you the opportunity to craft a custom divorce agreement that works for your life, not just what the judge decides in a limited hearing.
Clients turn to mediation for many reasons:
Even in high-conflict situations, mediation can help lower the temperature, shift the focus, and move both parties toward closure with less emotional and financial cost.
Mediation can be court-ordered or voluntary. In Durham County, custody and equitable distribution (property division) mediation are frequently required, but you don’t have to wait for the court to mandate it.
You can begin private mediation at any time—before, during, or even after the divorce process.
Mediation can be conducted:
Once you reach agreements, they can be formalized into a legal separation agreement or incorporated into your divorce judgment.
At Ellis Family Law, P.L.L.C. in North Carolina, we offer two distinct roles in the mediation process:
As Durham divorce mediation attorneys, we help clients prepare for mediation by:
We make sure you’re not walking into mediation blind—or leaving with terms that won’t hold up.
We also provide neutral mediation services for couples who want to work with an experienced family law attorney but prefer not to hire separate counsel. As mediators, we:
Whether you’re working with us as a party or as a mediator, our goal is the same: resolution that protects everyone involved.
There are situations where mediation isn’t appropriate. For example:
But in most cases, even those with high tension, mediation is a valuable tool. And unlike litigation, you can always choose to walk away and pursue other legal options.
Mediation gives you space to try. Without giving up your rights.
We’ve seen how powerful mediation can be.
We’re not here to push mediation when it doesn’t make sense. We’re here to offer it as a path forward—when it does.
We work with individuals and families throughout Durham, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and the broader Triangle region. Whether you need a lawyer to represent you during mediation or a mediator to guide the process, we’re ready to help.
We offer both phone and virtual mediation sessions to accommodate your schedule, your privacy needs, and your comfort level.
Our board-certified specialists lead every case with strategy, care, and a commitment to your best outcome.
I highly recommend Shannon! I’ve worked with her in a volunteer capacity for over 18 years and have been impressed with her leadership skills along with her love of serving...
I highly recommend Shannon! I’ve worked with her in a volunteer capacity for over 18 years and have been impressed with her leadership skills along with her love of serving the community. Shannon is a stellar attorney who is dedicated to making sure her clients receive favorable outcomes.
Smart attorneys. I felt like I was in highly competent hands.
...Smart attorneys. I felt like I was in highly competent hands.
As a fellow family law practitioner with over 22 years of experience and family law professor with over 17 years of experience, I get numerous calls requesting an attorney referral...
As a fellow family law practitioner with over 22 years of experience and family law professor with over 17 years of experience, I get numerous calls requesting an attorney referral for family law matters. There are only three firms within the triangle that I refer people to. Ellis Family Law is always number one. I know that I have referred many people over the last several years to both offices. Every last one has retained their services and been very happy with the legal outcomes. The overall experience they share with me always have several common denominators. Experience, Expertise Professionalism and tenaciousness.
I was able to experience these qualities when I contacted them to represent my significant other in a matter. The service was phenomenal and aligned with what had been shared with me. There is a reason why they have been recognized with numerous accolades over the years regarding the attorneys and the firm’s locations overall. Super Lawyers, NC Lawyers Power List and the BBB just to name a few.
You will not go wrong by retaining the services of Ellis Family Law. They have proven time and time again that they understand and respect that a person is making an investment and entrusting them with sensitive matters that may become lifechanging. They will honor that with the utmost professionalism and representation.
Gray is knowledgeable and ethical. Truly a specialist. He gives back to the community in a variety of ways as well. Hire him before your spouse does!
...Gray is knowledgeable and ethical. Truly a specialist. He gives back to the community in a variety of ways as well. Hire him before your spouse does!
Kathleen Murphy understands high conflict divorces. She’s passionate and she’ll work for you because she knows how hard divorce is. She’ll push you to do the right thing, and she’s...
Kathleen Murphy understands high conflict divorces. She’s passionate and she’ll work for you because she knows how hard divorce is. She’ll push you to do the right thing, and she’s got your back when you don’t even know it. She’ll push you to be organized and she’s no-nonsense.
You don’t have to go to war to get divorced.
You don’t have to give up everything to avoid court.
And you don’t have to keep wondering if there’s a better way.
Because clarity doesn’t come from conflict. It comes from sitting down and starting the right conversation.
And for a fun twist: don’t miss our “Pour Decisions” section, featuring wine tips from our lawyer-wine specialist Gray Ellis!
