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Court program offers free settlement conferences

CANTON, Mass. (AP) - A new pilot program has been created to settle Probate and Family Court cases when most of the contested issues have already been resolved.

The Limited Issues Settlement Conference is intended to bring both sides and their lawyers together to settle any kind of Probate and Family Court matter. Cases could include divorce settlements, child custody and support issues, contested wills and guardianships.

Court officials hope the free program will help people settle cases without the time and financial burden of taking a case to trial.

Cases pending in any county may participate in the process. The conferences will be held on the first Friday of every month at the Norfolk Probate and Family Court in Canton. The first conference session is set for Nov. 1.