When a family disagrees about a loved one’s wishes or property, mediation offers a private way to settle it, and a chance to stay a family afterward.
Will contests and estate disputes drain families emotionally and financially. Litigation can stretch on for months or years, every filing becomes part of a public record, and the people involved are often siblings, children and spouses who will see each other at every holiday to come.
Mediation is a voluntary, less adversarial alternative. It keeps family matters private, it moves faster than litigation, and it allows solutions a court can’t order: a buyout of the family home, an agreed plan for heirlooms, or a different split of particular assets.
of U.S. adults say they have a will. Without one, families are often left to sort out what a parent would have wanted.
Pew Research Center, survey of U.S. adults, Sept. 2025of Americans in their 60s have a will. Even at that age, fewer than half have one in place.
Pew Research Center, survey of U.S. adults, Sept. 2025The dispute. One sibling wants to keep their late mother’s house; the other two want it sold.
The resolution. A buyout at a jointly chosen appraisal, credited against the buying sibling’s share of the estate, with a closing date everyone signs off on.
The dispute. A father’s will leaves more to the child who cared for him in his final years, and the others consider a contest.
The resolution. The will stands, the siblings divide personal items and heirlooms by taking turns choosing, and the estate is administered without a lawsuit.
The dispute. Adult children disagree about an aging parent’s safety and who should manage his finances.
The resolution. In-home care three days a week, a shared visit schedule, and one sibling handling bills with monthly statements shared with the others.
Illustrative examples only, not actual clients. Every outcome depends on the facts and the parties’ agreement.
Estate planning, probate and guardianship are the center of Elizabeth’s law practice at Dodd Attorneys, PSC. She drafts wills and trusts, guides families through probate, and has litigated will contests. That experience helps everyone understand how the estate is likely to be handled if the dispute goes to court, which is often what families need to find a fair middle ground.
Yes. Mediation can take place before anything is filed or while a case is pending. Settling early usually preserves more of the estate for the people it was meant for.
Mediation is voluntary, so the people whose agreement is needed to settle the dispute, often including the executor or administrator, should take part. Elizabeth can help you think through who needs to be at the table.
That’s common in estate matters. Ask about scheduling and participation options when you call, and Elizabeth will discuss what will work for your family.
A short conversation is the best first step. Elizabeth will listen, explain how mediation could work for your situation, and answer your questions about timing and fees.
1041 Goss Avenue, Louisville, KY 40217
Monday to Friday, 8 to 5; weekends by appointment