Open Letter to my readers concerned about rights to the ashes of a loved one
Open Letter to my readers concerned about rights to the ashes of a loved one…
Read MoreHow often is employment discrimination mediated instead of handled in court?
Dear Ms. Allison: Our company is involved in an employment discrimination lawsuit – hiring practices. I wonder whether mediation would really resolve things faster and at less cost. How often is mediation successful in these issues, rather than having the force of a court order to force the issue? CR in North Texas Dear CR:…
Read MoreBringing outside talent into a family business succession debate?
Dear Ms. Allison: My family is fighting over where to go next with our mid-sized company. We want to grow and some of us think we should bring in executives from outside the family to get a better perspective and add to our current skills. Others are afraid that letting in “outsiders” will lose control…
Read MoreMediation and Grounds for Divorce in Oklahoma
Dear Ms. Allison: I feel so stupid. My husband has told me for years that we cannot get a divorce because Oklahoma doesn’t have “no-fault” divorce. His reasoning has been that one of us (at least) would have to have the fault and it can’t be him because of his business, so he is “protecting”…
Read MoreMediating a Partner Dispute about Business Succession
Dear Ms. Allison: My employers have come to a standoff. They no longer speak except behind closed doors. They seem unaware that we can all hear them angrily yelling back there. About 16 months ago, I was asked for some managers’ employee evaluations and information on business succession (I do the HR stuff). Things seemed…
Read MoreHow 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 MoreWho can clients invite to divorce mediation?
Dear Ms. Allison: We want to do mediation instead of divorcing in court. We don’t want lawyers and judges interfering with our arrangements. But my friend said we have to have lawyers and maybe other people involved as well. And no matter what we mediate, we still have to go to court. What? Why even…
Read MoreCan we mediate family struggle over caregiving for veteran brother?
Dear Ms. Allison: Me, my parents and siblings are frequently arguing over care for my brother, a wounded veteran (Iraq). He is paraplegic, not able to use his legs but able to use his arms, so he can help himself somewhat. Still he needs 24-hour care. When he can no longer live with my parents…
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,…
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