Posts by Sharee Wells
How are mediations done under the Americans with Disabilities Act?
Dear Ms. Allison: My sister is going to be involved in an Adult Care mediation. She is disabled. I heard that mediations are covered in the Americans with Disabilities Act so wondered if you could explain how my sister will be accommodated in this meeting. Angela in Iowa Dear Angela: Each mediator does his or…
Read MoreAren’t Mediators as expensive as Lawyers?
Dear Ms. Allison: I thought about mediation for my business dispute, but in researching mediators, some cost as much as lawyers. It looks like I’d just be spending my same money on a mediator instead of a lawyer. Where’s the cost savings? MRP, Denver Dear MRP: Great question. Really experienced private mediators may indeed have…
Read MoreMediating the Private Divorce – Let’s Make Peace!
This is from my recent LinkedIn Pulse article to answer questions from several readers: Almost half of U.S. marriages end in divorce according to countless, long-term studies. The whole process of that is sad, uncomfortable, emotional, confrontational, extremely costly and sometimes, mean-spirited. As story lines, “ugly” divorces get lots of TV, press, and movie coverage,…
Read More3 Problems To Solve With Family Business Mediation
Many people think of mediation instead of court when looking to resolve personal or family disputes and business disagreements. It is faster, more affordable, and less contentious as a problem-solving tool than a lawsuit will ever be. Mediation is also the best solution for family business disputes that muddy the waters between personal and business…
Read MoreHow Can My Stepmother Take Everything I Was Promised?
My father and stepmother were married for almost 30 years when he died. About 15 years ago he showed me their Wills. It said when both are dead, I am to inherit everything. Well, he died almost a year ago and when I tried to talk to her about getting some of his things we…
Read MoreCan my stepmother adopt me while my birth mother is alive?
Dear Ms. Allison: My dad and stepmom are doing their new Wills. She wants to adopt me so there will be no problems with me being included in the inheritance. I have lived with them since I was 11, and now I am 19. My birth mother is not happy with this at all. Is…
Read MoreHow to make my Aunt probate my Mom’s Will
Dear Ms. Allison: My mother passed away in 2003. Her sister, my aunt was living with her. Mom has three other siblings–there were 5 of them all together. At any rate, after all this time, my mother’s estate has still not been distributed; at least not to anyone’s knowledge. My aunt has not shown the…
Read MoreWhy did my uncle get the lake house when my dad left his half to me?
Dear Ms. Allison: In his Will, my dad left me his house and his half of the lake house he bought with his brother. Everyone has heard him talk about this for years before he died. Turns out though, my uncle got 100% of the lake house before probate even started. What’s going on here?…
Read MoreHow do I stop my brothers from selling my parents’ ranch?
Dear Ms. Allison: My brothers want to sell my parents’ ranch (land and house). I don’t want to, so what kind of lawyer do I need to get to stop them? Ty in Wagoner County Dear Ty: With what you’ve given me to go on, I can’t really determine your situation or whether this is…
Read MoreAre siblings from 1st marriage entitled to estate after 2nd spouse inherits?
Dear Ms. Allison: How can 4 siblings get a copy of our deceased father’s Will after leaving everything to his 2nd wife who just died? An adult sibling by his 2nd wife is the executor of their estate. The first 4 siblings are no blood relation to his 2nd wife and were not adopted by…
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