Can Mediation Help Partnership Communication Problems?

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Dear Ms. Allison: I am so frustrated with my business partner. He got the business as part of a divorce settlement, so I think there’s “baggage” that enters the picture. Every time we disagree, he immediately gets defensive. His approach to communication about problems is to get louder and louder. He talks over me so…

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What estate disputes can be mediated?

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Dear Ms. Allison: What sorts of things can be mediated in a Will Contest or other estate dispute? Lily Rose, Western Oklahoma Dear Lily Rose:An estate dispute (anything involving an inheritance whether with a Will or from no planning) generally happens after the death of a family member or loved one. Occasionally, a dispute arises…

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Bringing outside talent into a family business succession debate?

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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…

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Mediating a Partner Dispute about Business Succession

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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…

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