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.

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.

Above all, remember that co-parenting is about your kids.

As far as I can tell, much of the research on how neural functions affect mediation has been done in the last 20 years.

Following the “insurrection,” “putsch,” or “attempted coup” in Washington D.C., on January 6, 2021, and the subsequent acquittal of President Trump on impeachment charges, we find ourselves facing extremely significant and difficult, yet very different political conflicts and challenges from those we faced before.

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.

This article reflects on a panel discussion that took place on April 14, 2021, as part of the ABA Dispute Resolution Section Virtual Spring Conference, titled "Dispute Resolution Pandemic Pivot: Systems Design for Socioeconomic Inequality issues.”

Individuals sinking in personal or professional problems may turn to a mediator; Businesses troubled with contractual and commercial disputes may appoint a mediator; Nation-states imploding in racial or communal tension may call on a mediator – and after all this giving, who does the Mediator call on in times of need?

The article suggests that there is little formal training for mediators, especially volunteer mediators who may co mediate with many different partners to work effectively together, and makes some simple and concrete suggestions for ways to remedy this.

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.

My goal has always been to provide each and every mediation participant with the most satisfying experience possible.

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.

As a society, we have not resolved many enduring disputes, or convinced each other, or even discussed them intelligently, but ended up instead screaming at one another, clashing violently, and being prepared to manipulate, and even jettison the entire democratic process if it doesn’t back the candidates and policies we support.

The current pandemic has created a crucial need for those experienced in conflict resolution practices to prevent and resolve conflict in the education of students with disabilities. Public agencies, schools, and families should utilize those trained in conflict resolution, including mediators, negotiators, and advocates, to combat this crisis and lessen adverse outcomes for those involved.

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?

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.

The Four Agreements is based on ancient Toltec wisdom which is said to embody the essential unity of truth and described as a way of life. I believe that if we adopt these Four Agreements they will create enough personal power to change the way we mediate and resolve conflict, leading to better and more satisfying settlements.

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.

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.

An interview with Kim Kovach and Eric Galton about mediation, being married to a mediator, and the future of mediation. Recorded and shared as part of the Mediation 20/20 Conference.

Collaborative law is the best way for families to navigate tough transitions and here is why.

What can mediators learn from the online experience of other collaborative dispute resolution professionals? How do we best integrate online mediation with conflict & life coaching, collaborative practice and limited scope representation?

This article summarizes the Young Minds, Global Voices Conference. This conference was sponsored by Mediate.com in an effort to hear from newer mediators. These 6 sessions comprised up and coming thought leaders from around the globe, forming a brain trust for how to create peace in ourselves, our community and our world.  

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.

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.

No matter how a couple may approach questions involving parenting after divorce, the answers are never easily derived.

Naturally, as a Divorce Financial Advisor, I began thinking how these types of crypto assets were going to impact divorce settlements.

The second Forum of the Online Mediation Training Task Force centered on new and emerging issues of online mediation and the training of mediators online.

As difficult as a divorce can be for a married couple, it can be just as upsetting and confusing for the children of the relationship.

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.