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Polly A. Tatum

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Avvo Rating10
  • Worcester, MA
  • Licensed for 26 years
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About Polly

I believe that marriage/relationships should end with the same dignity and respect that it started with. My goal for my practice is to help improve the divorce process for couples seeking to end their marriage in a manner that shall preserve their families and reduce conflict for their children. Although the romantic partnership has ended, parents need to be able to co-exist in order to raise healthy children who can manage conflict in a peaceful and productive manner. I believe the divorce mediation process is the least detrimental for families seeking to end their marriage. A public courtroom battle is not the appropriate forum to resolve your issues relating to custody, parenting times, property division and support. A confidential and private divorce/family mediation with a highly skilled divorce mediator will help expedite your divorce, while leaving a couple in control over financial and parenting decisions for their family in a cost effective manner.

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Practice areas

Estate planningDivorce and separation
  1. Divorce and separation: 90%

    Accelerating Peace of Mind for couples Separating and Divorcing. Specialist in Divorce Mediation, Asset Preservation and Co-Parenting.

    25 years, 3,000 cases

  2. Estate planning: 10%

    Provide comprehensive estate planning for families at all stages in their lives. Revocable and Irrevocable Trust and Wealth Planning, Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Living Will

    13 years

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

1348307 1447035021

Contact

The Law Office of Polly A. Tatum

19 Cedar Street
Worcester, MA, 01609

      Resume

      License
      StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
      MAActive199506/06/2021
      We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
      Avvo Contributions
      Legal answers37
      Legal guides5
      Awards
      Award nameGrantorDate granted
      Outstanding Women in BusinessWorcester Business Journal2012
      Thurgood Marshall Award for citizenshipMassachusetts School of Law2012
      Katherine Forbes Erskine Award for Business and LawYWCA2005
      Work Experience
      TitleCompany nameDuration
      Divorce/Attorney/MediatorLaw Office of Polly A. Tatum/Mediation Advantage Services1997 - Present
      TrainerPractice Accelerator2014 - 2015
      Assistant City SolicitorCity of Worcester1995 - 1997
      Mentor SupervisorDare Family Services1990 - 1994
      Associations
      Association namePosition nameDuration
      YMCA of Central MassachusettsVice Chair2017 - Present
      YMCAClerk - Executive Committee Member2015 - Present
      Massachusetts Council on Family MediationFormer Board MemberN/A
      Worcester County Bar AssociationCo-Chair Membership Committee2015 - 2016
      YMCABoard of Directors2014 - 2014
      Worcester County Bar AssociationCo-Chair Membership Committee2014 - 2015
      Girls IncLeadership Academy2014 - 2015
      Girls IncLeadership Academy Mentor2013 - 2014
      Worcester County Bar AssociationCo-Chair Membership Committee2013 - 2013
      Worcester County Bar AssociationPast President2012 - 2013
      Worcester County Bar AssociationPresident2011 - 2012
      Worcester County Bar AssociationPresident - Elect2011 - 2012
      Worcester Bar AssociationCo-Chair Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee1999 - 2000
      Worcester County Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution SectionCo-chair1998 - 1999
      Publications
      Publication nameTitleDate
      online telesummitcoparenting success series2015
      SpeakEasyDivorce and Mediation in Massachusetts - Helpful Guide to Navigate Your Case2014
      Education
      School nameDegreeGraduated
      Western New England College School of LawLLM2009
      Massachusetts School of Law at AndoverJD - Juris Doctor1994
      New Hampshire CollegeBS - Bachelor of Science1989
      Speaking Engagements
      Conference nameTitleDate
      How to co-parent after DivorceCo-Parenting Success Series2015
      Monthly SeminarsHow to Get Divorced in Massachusetts2014
      Parenting GroupsDivorce Mediation Benefits2013
      Leadership AcademyConflict Resolution2012
      Law DayLawyers role and responsibilities to community engagement2012
      ADR CommitteeAttorneys Role in divorce Mediation Process2005
      Legal cases
      Case nameOutcome
      Divorce Mediation Couple 2015Couple filed a joint petition for divorce. Successful divorce mediation
      Divorce Mediation Couple 2015Couple filed a joint petition for divorce. Successful divorce mediation
      Divorce Mediation Couple 2015Couple filed a joint petition for divorce. Successful divorce mediation
      Divorce Mediation CoupleCouple able to file a joint petition and have their agreement approved. Additionally, the couple are civil to each other and are able to maintain a relationship with both sets of stepchildren.
      Divorce Mediation OutcomeThe couple settled all their outstanding issues, custody, support, parenting schedule, and property division and saved thousands in additional legal fees.
      Divorce Mediation CoupleCouple developed a comprehensive custody, parenting and support arrangement for their families needs that were not your typical stereotypical arrangement.

      Reviews

      (16)
      5 Star
      		100%
      4 Star
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      3 Star
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      2 Star
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      1 Star
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      Review Polly Tatum

      I strongly recommend Polly

      Posted by

      Polly was an amazing lifeline during a very difficult and painful time. I STRONGLY recommend her for any divorce! Not only did she help us come to terms that we were both happy with, but she helped us learn to communicate with each other better, as we move forward working together as co parents. She has all of the connections, knowledge, expertise and people skills necessary to give you the best possible outcome. I have every intention of using her for my estate planning too, once the divorce is finalized.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      5k Stars

      Posted by

      Polly did an amazing job navigating a tricky divorce. Her ability to advocate for both of us to each other during some very tense times was phenomenal. Not only were we both very happy with the resolution she helped us reach, But she also help us communicate much better as a divorcing couple who is still going to be raising kids together. I can’t say enough positive things about our experience with poly or how much respect I have for her!
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Five stars isn't enough.

      Posted by

      My divorce was amicable, but the subsequent issues that came up when I got remarried and moved closer to my children created a lot of conflict. We have four boys and two functional households, and we'd been fighting a pitched legal battle on several fronts for almost two years on a number of issues when we both finally agreed to go into mediation. So, I went to Polly with a situation that I considered truly unresolvable, given the personalities involved and the past history. I am sitting at my desk today after a number of mediation sessions staring at a signed mediation agreement. I will be honest, it was very expensive, and because we were in such bad shape going in, it took six months and eleven or twelve sessions, and I do not feel that I wasted a single penny. I absolutely cannot recommend her services any more highly--she truly understands how to deal with difficult personalities of every flavor (and I'm including my own here), navigate very complex negotiations with tragic consequences for any misstep, and still consistently deliver unbelievable results. If I have any future conflicts I will not hesitate to go back. If you need mediation, don't wait, call Polly.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Mediation Worked for us

      Posted by

      My ex and I were amicable about our divorce, but needed a lawyer to advise us on child support, alimony, 401K, and division of assets. We decided to use a mediator to draw up our divorce agreement. It was not a short process, but Polly broke it into manageable 1-2 hour sessions. We paid a reasonable price for a 5.5 hr "package" and were able to get everything done in that time. We went to court and the judge accepted the agreement with no problems. This process worked for us - we wanted it to be fair and non-confrontational. Polly did a good job keeping us focused and letting us talk about things that were bothering us and helped us come to agreement. She brought up all the things we did not think about - like sharing holiday time and vacations with our daughter, keeping the house, etc. Polly is very caring, but straightforward - no nonsense. She also described the court hearing process so clearly that there were absolutely no suprises when the day came. Polly gave us all the forms we needed to file, step by step filing instructions and helped us fill out most of the forms. A divorce is such a life-changing event, the less drama involved the better. Highly recommend working with Polly if you are in Worcester County.

      Great lawyer

      Posted by

      I would highly recommend Polly. She is thorough, kind and attentive. I could go on and on with other positive attributes that she has. She didn't make me feel like just another dollar sign. More importantly,she gave me hope.

      straight forward lawyer

      Posted by

      I used Polly for my mediation for my divorce. She was wonderful honest, straight forward and most all fair. I would recommend her. She is specific right down to where to park when we go to court. She made a stressful situation tolerable.

      Didn't waste my time!

      Posted by

      Polly A. Tatum helped me through my divorce. She is straight forward and knowledgeable. She helped me with a divorce agreement and through some minor issues that arose throughout the divorce process. I enjoyed working with her and would work with her again.

      Focused!

      Posted by

      Attorney Tatum was a very compasionate, fair, but firm person. She kept us focused on what had to be worked on and off the bitter emotional side! She made something positive out of a very negitive situation!

      In support if Polly Tatum, Esq,

      Posted by

      Knowledgable of the law including recent changes.. Professional while empathetic. Staff well trained and pleasant. Made an unpleasant situation more tolerable.

      5 Stars for Polly

      Posted by

      Having no idea what to expect when I first embarked on this process, my fears were quickly allayed. Polly is everything you want in a mediation lawyer. She made us feel comfortable and allowed us to arrive at a resolution based on our own ideas of what we believed to be fair, rather than having something "imposed" on us. She definitely helped us communicate better, which will serve us well moving forward. Best of all, she saved us a ton of money and we felt in total control of the process.
      See all reviews

      Attorney endorsements

      (15)
      Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

      Ryan McKeen, Divorce and separation Attorney on Aug 24, 2016
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I am fortunate to know Polly through a national group of lawyers working to improve their practice - namely the service they provide to their clients. Polly stands out. Her practices and care shine through. She is a cut above. You are lucky if you hire her to help you through a divorce.

      Thomas Mallon, Divorce and separation Attorney on Nov 17, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of her clients and getting them the most favorable result possible.

      Christine Majewski, Divorce and separation Attorney on Nov 11, 2015
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      I endorse this lawyer. Clients deserve an attorney with such a caring and compassionate approach!

      Katherine Miller, Divorce and separation Attorney on Nov 11, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I know Polly to be deeply committed to helping her clients find appropriate out of court solutions. I feel confident in recommending her services.

      Joseph Mitchell, Mediation Attorney on Nov 9, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Polly has a compassion and an integrity which are rare in an attorney. Her love of mediation and working through problems is evident in all of her work. If I were "going through it", I would go to Polly for help.

      Daniel Clement, Divorce and separation Attorney on Nov 9, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Polly is a very experienced and knowledgeable attorney. She possesses the requisite skills to effectively represent her clients

      Ronald Pollack, Divorce and separation Attorney on Nov 8, 2015
      Relationship: Other

      Polly is not only bright and compassionate, but she will fight to protect her clients in a dignified manner. I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer.

      Jeffrey Greenberg, Mediation Attorney on Mar 24, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Polly is a very effective mediator. She has many years of experience and is a dedciated professional.

      Mark Zarrow, Mediation Attorney on Jun 6, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. Polly was a pioneer in mediation in the Worcester area and has led the way for others to follow. She has a great reputation, deservedly so.

      Benjamin Glass, Mediation Attorney on Feb 25, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      If you are thinking about getting a divorce you may want to consider mediation. I highly recommend that you check out Polly Tatum's website as it has a ton of information about divorce mediation as an alternative to divorce litigation, which can be messy and expensive. Polly is very friendly and easy to talk to. She has helped a lot of families through the pain of a marital breakup.

      Aimee Griffin, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jan 3, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. Polly is an incredible professional and community activist. Polly is an attorney who is committed to supporting individuals going through a challenging time with respect and dignity.

      Francis Ford, Mediation Attorney on Jan 2, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Polly is well-known and well-respected in the Worcester County legal community. Her knowledge and experience in the law is extensive. Polly's pleasant personality and professional demeanor make her an excellent lawyer-mediator. I endorse her without hesitation. Francis A. Ford

      Deirdre Healy, Family Attorney on Dec 31, 2013
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      I have worked with Polly on several matters. She has always been a good advocate for her clients while at the same time professional and easy to work with. I highly recommend Polly.

      Mark Lee, Mediation Attorney on Jul 20, 2012
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Corine Claxton, Family Attorney on Jun 7, 2012
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Attorney Tatum is a well-respected, professional and dedicated lawyer. I recommend this attorney.