Like most litigation, traditional divorce cases are adversarial, pitting one party against the other. On the other hand, the divorce mediation services offered by Jonathan L. Kales and Amy Grillo Kales foster a cooperative approach designed to generate positive results. Specifically, divorce mediation allows you and your spouse to:
- Avoid costly and potentially unpleasant court hearings
- Have meaningful discussions about relevant issues
- Reach mutual agreements
How it works
Divorce mediation is generally defined as a voluntary activity led by a specially trained, neutral professional. This person, called the mediator, facilitates discussions and helps you and your spouse reach consensus on important matters including, but not limited to, the distribution of assets and liabilities, child custody, visitation, spousal support/alimony, and child support.
Your unique circumstances will dictate how long the process takes. If you and your spouse are able to engage in constructive dialogue, you may reach a settlement in only a few sessions, sometimes less. But if there are highly contested issues, or if you aren’t able to communicate effectively, mediation will take longer or may fail.
Our beliefs
As a Virginia Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, Jonathan Kales is dedicated to helping his clients achieve the best possible outcomes, while sparing them from the financial and emotional costs of traditional divorce. As a former family law litigator, who witnessed the terrible impact court can have on divorcing couples and their children, he also brings a great deal of sympathy and respect for the individuals involved in every case.
Amy Grillo Kales is also a family lawyer and trained mediator who shares Jonathan’s passion for helping divorcing couples settle important matters without going to court. Because she welcomes the chance to work with couples who are willing to embrace a collaborative approach, she and Jonathan co-mediate divorce cases together.
Who we are
In addition to practicing law and mediating cases together, Jonathan and Amy Kales are partners in life. The husband and wife team lives in Fairfax County, where they are raising three children.
While Jonathan, who was born and raised in Fairfax County, has served the community by sharing his expertise at seminars and serving on various boards, Amy does so by volunteering at her children’s schools. Amy, a Northern Virginia native also serves on committees and organizations focused on youth and community.
Jonathan is a member and past president of the Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia. Both Jonathan and Amy are members of the Virginia State Bar and the Fairfax Bar Association. Jonathan is a member of the Fairfax Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section.
Jonathan Kales obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bates College in 1994 and his J.D. from the University of Connecticut in 1998. Amy Kales obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mary Washington College in 1994 and her JD from George Washington University in 2003.
Along with divorce mediation, Jonathan and Amy help clients with:
- Collaborative Divorce
- Uncontested Divorce
- Negotiations
- Family Law
- Premarital Agreements
- Related Legal Matters
Contact us to learn more about our divorce mediation services today
Even in a best-case scenario, divorce is seldom easy. It is understandable if you feel overwhelmed and alone. But you’re not alone. At Kales & Kales PLC, we are devoted to helping our clients get through divorce without going to court whenever possible. To learn more about our divorce mediation services and whether they are right for you, call us at (703) 896-7580, or send an email to: contactus@kaleslaw.com.
You can also reach Jonathan directly at jkales@kaleslaw.com or Amy at akales@kaleslaw.com. If you would like to schedule an appointment, we have offices conveniently located at 4000 Legato Road, Suite 1100, Fairfax, VA 22033, 4601 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 1200, Arlington, VA 22203, and 1765 Greensboro Station Place, Suite 900, McLean, VA 22102.