When most people think about resolving a legal dispute, they picture a courtroom — a judge, formal procedures, and a decision handed down by someone who may have little context for the complexities of their particular situation.

Alternative Dispute Resolution, or ADR, refers to a range of processes designed to help parties resolve their disputes outside of that traditional courtroom setting.

ADR processes vary in how they work and what they produce — some, like mediation, are collaborative and give the parties significant control over the outcome, while others, like a Consensual Special Magistrate proceeding, are more structured and result in a binding decision.

What they share is a commitment to resolving disputes more efficiently, more privately, and often more cost-effectively than traditional litigation.

For families navigating difficult transitions, ADR can also mean less conflict and a greater sense of ownership over the outcome — which can make a meaningful difference not just in how a case is resolved, but in how life looks afterward.