Other Nashville Family Law and Mediation Services

Tennessee Adoptions and Guardianships

Mr. Papa represents adopting parents, as well as birth fathers and birth mothers in all types of Tennessee adoptions, including both domestic and international adoption, as well as step-parent and second-parent adoptions. In addition to assisting clients with their adoption-related legal needs, Mr. Papa has relationships with local social workers and adoption agencies and can therefore guide clients to appropriate resources in the community who can assist with other needs related to the exciting but complicated adoption process. He also assists families who are in need of obtaining legal guardianship of a minor.

Domestic Partnership Agreement and Affidavit of Domestic Partnership

Attorney Papa helps same-sex domestic partners formalize their legal relationship through the preparation of documents such as a Domestic Partnership Agreement or Affidavit of Domestic Partnership, as well as through basic estate planning vehicles such as wills, living wills, hospital visitation authorizations, and powers of attorney.

Domestic Partnership Dissolution

Our Domestic Partnership Dissolution mediation services allow same-sex and other non-married couples who are ending their relationship to make parenting decisions and divide their property in a way that minimizes conflict and costs while maximizing control and peace of mind.

Parent Coordination

Parent Coordination is a unique blend of mediation and arbitration. In this process Family Law Attorney-Mediator Benjamin Papa works with couples following their divorce who are experiencing a great deal of conflict to help them implement their parenting plans, including everything from large issues to small details. Mr. Papa attempts first to mediate the dispute, but if the couple is unable to resolve the issue through mediation, Mr. Papa makes a decision (arbitrates) for the couple regarding the dispute.

Using a Tennessee Parent Coordinator like Benjamin Papa allows couples to resolve their disputes without having to return to court for a judge to rule on every problem. This process saves significant money in attorneys' fees and court costs, and allows for the conflict to be resolved quickly, without having to wait for a court date. Mr. Papa is trained in parent coordination through the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.

Elder Mediation and Conservatorship Services

Many disputes regarding elders and their families can be resolved quickly and fairly through mediation, without the expense and loss of control associated with other means of dispute resolution. Examples of situations where elder care mediation can be helpful include:

• Disputes with hospitals, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes
• Disagreements about the appropriate level of care for an elderly family member
• Disputes among family members, caregivers, and the elder

Mr. Papa also represents families through the process of obtaining a conservatorship for adults who have lost their ability to care for themselves but did not have a power of attorney in place before they became incapacitated.

General Family Mediation

Forward Focus' family mediation services help families that are not divorcing to resolve conflict. We assist families in creating a written plan that resolves conflict around whatever issues the family is facing, such as parent/child conflict, house rules, and division of household labor among family members.