Mediation

Family Law Mediation in Northern Kentucky

Certified Mediators for Divorce, Custody & Post-Decree Disputes Across NKY

Family law mediation applies to far more than divorce. At Schaffner Family Law & Mediation, we guide Northern Kentucky families through mediation for divorce, child custody disputes, parenting plan negotiations, post-decree modifications, and support matters. Mediation is a private, voluntary process where a neutral third party helps both sides reach agreement rather than leaving the outcome to a judge. Our attorneys are qualified to conduct private domestic relations mediations under Kentucky’s court requirements, and we serve families across Kenton County, Campbell County, and Boone County, as well as the broader Greater Cincinnati region. Virtual mediation is available for clients who are out of state or have schedules that make in-person sessions difficult.

This page covers the full range of family disputes that can be resolved by agreement, including custody modifications and post-decree parenting issues that arise long after an initial order is entered. Choosing mediation gives both parties more control over the outcome than a contested court hearing and can help keep sensitive family details out of the public record.

If you’re ready to find a calmer path forward, call (859) 577-7552 or complete our online form to speak with a family law mediation attorney in Northern Kentucky today.

Our Mediation Credentials in Northern Kentucky

Amy Halbrook serves Schaffner Family Law & Mediation as Of Counsel Attorney and Certified Mediator. She is certified in family law mediation in both Kentucky and Ohio, and her background runs deep. In 2011, Amy founded the NKU Chase Children’s Law Center Clinic and spent approximately a decade representing hundreds of children throughout Northern Kentucky in custody, child welfare, domestic violence, juvenile, and education matters. That child-centered case work shapes how she approaches high-conflict parenting disputes in mediation today. At NKU Chase College of Law, she serves as Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Experiential Learning and as faculty for the university’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Center. She also trains attorneys nationally through the American Bar Association’s Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy.

Additional Mediators & Collaborative Law Training

Amy isn’t the only qualified mediator on our team. Several of our attorneys meet Kentucky’s court requirements to conduct private domestic relations mediations, which include training in family law mediation and the dynamics of domestic violence and interpersonal violence. Our team members hold formal Collaborative Law training and belong to the Academy of Northern Kentucky Collaborative Professionals. A mediator who understands how local family courts approach contested matters can be better positioned to keep negotiations realistic and grounded in outcomes a judge might reach.

Litigation Backup When You Need It

Founding attorney Tasha K. Schaffner has practiced family law in Kentucky since 2004, holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and is consistently recognized in Super Lawyers for Family Law, a distinction given to no more than 5% of attorneys in the state. The same team that guides your mediation sessions can represent you in Kenton County, Campbell County, or Boone County family court if negotiations don’t produce a full agreement. That litigation backup isn’t a fallback threat. It’s a practical assurance that you’re never unrepresented if talks break down.

Working with Schaffner Family Law & Mediation on your mediation gives you:

Qualified mediators with verified credentials in private domestic relations mediation under Kentucky law
Dual-state certification in Kentucky and Ohio through Amy Halbrook, covering families on both sides of the border
Child-centered depth built through more than a decade of Northern Kentucky custody, child welfare, and juvenile representation
Collaborative Law training and membership in the Academy of Northern Kentucky Collaborative Professionals
Full litigation capability if mediation doesn’t resolve all issues, handled by the same attorneys who know your case

How Mediation Works for Northern Kentucky Families

Mediation sessions in Kentucky are confidential. Statements made during the process generally can’t be used as evidence in a later court proceeding, which means both parties can speak candidly without fear that their words will be weaponized against them. A mediated family agreement can cover the full scope of issues a court would decide: property division, parenting time, custody arrangements, and support. Because the process isn’t subject to court docket scheduling, mediated matters can often resolve faster than contested litigation.

Here is how the practical benefits apply to family law specifically:

Lower costs – Avoiding contested court dates and motion practice can reduce fees. For families who have already reached agreement on the core terms, we offer a streamlined flat-fee approach to formalize that agreement without high litigation costs.
Confidential process – Sensitive details about your family can stay out of the public record. This matters especially in custody and parenting disputes where children’s circumstances are involved.
Faster resolution – Scheduling is controlled by the parties, not a crowded docket.
More durable co-parenting agreements – Parents who craft their own parenting plan may be more likely to follow it consistently because both participated in building the terms, which can reduce post-decree conflict.
Modern accessibility – We use secure client portals for document sharing and offer virtual mediation sessions for parties who can’t meet in person or who are located out of state.

Mediation isn’t the right fit for every situation, and we’ll tell you plainly when a different approach makes more sense. When it is the right fit, the process keeps decision-making power where it belongs: with you and your family, not with a judge who doesn’t know your circumstances.

Start the Conversation About Mediation

Consultations are available at any stage of a dispute, whether you’re just beginning or prior attempts at resolution have stalled. We handle both the mediation process and any necessary follow-through if court involvement becomes required, so you don’t need to find new counsel if the situation changes. Our goal is to give you a clear picture of your options and honest guidance on which path makes the most sense for your family.

Take control of your family’s future by calling (859) 577-7552 or contacting us online to book a consultation with a family law mediation attorney in Northern Kentucky.

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“You Won't Regret”
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“Very Effective”
“Schaffner Family Law provided my family with very effective personal advice and legal counsel on a very complex matter.”

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