Preparing and Paying for QDROs in Divorce
The responsibilities of a plan administrator include reviewing QDROs or DROs and then distributing the funds to the non-plan participant spouse once they have approved the order--which become difficult in a separation.
Who Wears the Pants in Your Family?
So much has changed! When I was growing up, the expectation for middle-class marriages (which were always between women and men) was that it was the man’s job to earn enough money to support the family, and it was the woman’s job was to have children and to contribute to the economy by spending money.
The Significance of Nonverbal Communication in Mediation and Arbitration
Nonverbal communication may impact participants’ thoughts and emotions in a mediation or arbitration and should be considered when evaluating communication feedback during these sessions.
3 Ways Parents Can Help Their Kids Adjust
As parents, we try to protect our kids from undue stress. But the reality is that life is inherently stressful. While we may not be able to protect our kids from all stress we can help them learn to cope and adjust.
Multi-Jurisdictional Issues in Online Mediation
With an increase in remote mediation, many mediators are managing caseloads that have a multi-jurisdictional element (at times, unintentionally). This paper will define what issues may arise in a multi-jurisdictional mediation process, and focus on the necessary training elements to handle these multi-jurisdictional implications.
The Five Divorces
Lonnie and Chris got married right out of college.¹ They had a lot of ups and downs, and over time, they grew apart. After 20 years, they decided to divorce.
Online Mediation Training Task Force Family / Elder Committee Report
The Family and Elder Committee was initially tasked with Considering the Following Questions: 1) How can family and elder mediation training be improved to embrace online mediation; and 2) How can family and elder mediation training best be offered online, for basic training, advanced training, and ongoing continuing education?
The Long Term Psychological Effects of Divorce on Children
Growing up is complicated enough on its own. Having parents' divorce can make it even harder. To avoid the psychological effects of divorce on children, parents should go through the process gracefully.
Now More than Ever, Creativity is Needed in Divorces
We live in an uncertain world where things can change radically at the drop of a hat. We experienced this last year in a huge way with the Covid-19 outbreak.
3 Strategies for Effective Co-Parenting
Above all, remember that co-parenting is about your kids.
Confirmation Bias: Something Mediators Need to Appreciate
As far as I can tell, much of the research on how neural functions affect mediation has been done in the last 20 years.
For Family Cases Involving Reports of Intimate Partner Violence, Shuttle and Videoconference Mediation Are Safe, Effective and Preferred by Parents
In a randomized controlled trial of family cases involving parents reporting high levels of intimate partner violence (IPV), parents felt safer in and were more satisfied with shuttle and videoconference mediation than litigation.
Settlement Verification in the Virtual World
My goal has always been to provide each and every mediation participant with the most satisfying experience possible.
Co-Parenting Online Course – How to Not Put Your Kids in the Middle of Your Divorce
The ACE’s (Adverse Childhood Experiences) ACE’s study, is one of the largest studies about traumatic events in the lives of children ages 0-17. This study identifies three types of risk factors for trauma in children: abuse, neglect and household dysfunction.
Proposal for Standard Explanation in Mediation
Since writing my recent short article, Courts Should Make Mediations Good Samaritans Not Frankensteins, I have been thinking about how to maximize the substantial benefits of court-connected mediation while minimizing the risks of coercion.
You Might Have more in Common with Bill and Melinda Than You Think…
Bill and Melinda Gates recently announced that they are divorcing after 27 years. Besides having to address their billions of dollars and their enormously influential foundation, this has brought attention to issues of a mature (or “gray”) divorce.
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.
Married Mediators: Marilyn McKnight and Steve Erickson
An interview with Marilyn McKnight and Stephen Erickson about the origins of family mediation, their different conflict styles, and the future of conflict resolution. Recorded and shared as part of the Mediation 2020 Conference.
Married Mediators: Joan Goldsmith and Ken Cloke
An interview with Joan Goldsmith and Ken Cloke about mediation, being married to a mediator, and the future of mediation. Recorded and shared as part of the Mediation 20/20 Conference.
Approaching Custody with Reason vs. Rancor
No matter how a couple may approach questions involving parenting after divorce, the answers are never easily derived.
Cryptocurrency and Divorce
Naturally, as a Divorce Financial Advisor, I began thinking how these types of crypto assets were going to impact divorce settlements.
Divorce and Property Division: Am I Entitled to More Because my Spouse Ruined Our Marriage?
There are a lot of reasons why couples decide to get divorced. Financial troubles, lack of communication, continual arguing, unrealistic expectations, lack of intimacy, infidelity, and abuse are among the more common reasons why couples split up.
International Patent Litigation and Mediation
As many of you may know, mediation is not used as often as it should be to resolve international patent litigation. But is this also the case within the industry?
The Muddy Time
Some of us call it the muddy time. It’s the time in between the decision to divorce and when the actual divorce is made final.