The Remarkable (And Often Very Surprising) Benefits of Virtual Mediation
A funny thing happened on April 1, 2020. After over 30 years and 7,500 cases as an in person, high-touch mediator, I grudgingly became, out of necessity born by COVID-19, a virtual, online mediator.
The Problem With the Label "High Conflict Divorce"
It’s generally true in conflict that “it takes two to tango.” In the world of divorce, the fundamental problem with being labelled “high conflict” is how rarely both parties are dancing together.
Dispute Resolution with Collaborative Law
Collaborative law is the best way for families to navigate tough transitions and here is why.
Approaching Custody with Reason vs. Rancor
No matter how a couple may approach questions involving parenting after divorce, the answers are never easily derived.
The 2020 Tax Conundrum: Questions Facing Couples Whose Divorce is Pending
2020 has been a year of too many upsets, too many uncertainties, and too many confusions.
Using Text Messages and Emails in Mediation, Family, or Divorce Court
A guide on best practices related to the collection and use mobile evidence and the software options available best suited to assist.
Courage is a Choice
It is a choice to be courageous in family conflict, and an important one.
How Do We Tell our Friends We’re Getting a Divorce?
Recently I had a client ask me, “How do we say to our friends we’re getting a divorce?”
Keeping the Marital Home in Divorce and Pitfalls for the Unwary
In most marriages there is a marital home/the kids' childhood home and it’s often the largest asset--and the largest source of conflict.
First Holiday Season After Divorce
Your first Christmas or other major holiday after divorce can be tough, and it will no doubt be different.
Family Mediation: A Separate Category of Mediation?
It is to be noted that Mediation is not just about settling disputes or getting back people together. It also extends to making adequate arrangement for the welfare of family members in cases of separation.
Can You Be a Litigator and a Mediator?
“You know what, Ken? A bad idea would be to let your client walk out of here today and drag this thing out for another year, wasting more time and more money," ~ The Wedding Crashers
Bearing Witness in Mediation
Recently I’ve been pondering a certain aspect of my experience with mediating divorces. It’s about something that often comes up in my encounters with my mediation clients.
Mediating Online: Family Mediation Course
Mediate.com is proud to make the first day of our 10 day Online Family Mediation course available for free! The overall 20-hour training is available both "live" September 14-25 and is also available as a recorded course on an ongoing basis. Enjoy!
The Importance of the Relationship: Using Checklists to Improve Discussions
This article looks at The Importance of the Relationship; What are the expectations; and what should be discussed?
Co-parenting and COVID-19
This is an unknown and challenging time for everyone, as there are so many changes. For those who are co-parenting in separate households, it can be even more difficult to try to navigate these times.
Surviving the Pandemic - Advice from 74 Family Experts
In this outstanding collection of essays, there are tips for managing disagreements, guidelines for handling children’s needs, information about finances, and even a recipe for Quarantine Cookies.
Who Gets the COVID-19 Stimulus Check in the Divorce?
During this challenging time, many separated spouses are experiencing unexpected confusion and conflict around the Stimulus Check, which was intended to provide financial relief, as authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
10 Co-parenting Recommendations for the COVID-19 Crisis, A Mediator’s Perspective
Courts look to prior events or precedents in establishing policy, and also in measuring reasonableness, when parties are in a dispute.
Mediating Families Are Closer Post-Divorce
Joan Kelly describes a research finding which concluded that families who mediated during the divorce had father's who were significantly more involved in their children's lives twelve years post-mediation.
The Mediators: Family Mediation Edition
The Mediators: Family Edition features 27 of the most experienced family mediators in the world. Sections include: Inspiration, Techniques In The Room, Supporting Children, Styles And Models, The Future, Training & Certification
Interview with Don Saposnek
This is a new interview with Don Saposnek, long-time leader in the field of divorce mediation and best supporting the interests of children in divorce, by Robert Benjamin as part of Mediate's new "The Future of Mediation and Negotiation in Our Culture, Politics and Society" video series.
CV-19 Crisis Brings Heightened Need for Community-based Conflict Resolution
Crisis breeds conflict. The stress of economic uncertainty and dislocation caused by CV-19 are only outpaced by the anxiety many feel for the safety of their loved ones.
Co-Parenting During the Coronavirus Pandemic
As our nation deals with the COVID-19 crisis, divorced parents face many unique challenges.
Family Mediation 2.0 - Integrating Online Capacities
Dramatic changes are coming to family mediation programs and practices in the U.S. In the court context, The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) and the Pew Charitable Trusts (Pew) are now leading the way to expand online access to justice, including online dispute resolution (ODR).