So what’s this mediation thing all about? Well, here are a few of its core values — i.e., what we mediators hold near and dear to our meditation hearts. Self-Determination – The basic tenant of mediation is that both parties have the autonomy and feel empowered to make the decisions instead of giving up that power to a neutral third …
What is Mediation? (Part 2)
In yesterday’s post, I noted what mediation is NOT. Well, this is what mediation IS: Mediation is a Conversation Put simply, the role of the mediator is to facilitate a conversation between the parties The mediator is not there to listen to testimony like a trial or arbitration. Albeit “heated” at times, a mediation session is conversation focused. Mediation Allows …
What is Mediation? What is it Not?
When I talk to folks about what mediation is, sometimes is easiest to explain what it is NOT first. I’m going to compare mediation to other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Litigation – Although mediation can be used in disputes between parties who are involved in litigation, the mediator is not acting like a judge, making a decision. Unlike trial, …
Mediation Roster for Sixth Circuit in Illinois
I’m happy to announce that I was selected to be in the roster of family law mediators for the Sixth Circuit in Illinois. Specifically, I will be mediating custody and visitation issues (i.e., the allocation of parental responsibilities). The Sixth Circuit includes the following 7 Counties: Macon County, Piatt County, Champaign County, Dewitt County, Douglas County and Moultrie County. I’m …
Meet the New Associate Attorney, Kate Murray
The Illinois Office is growing! Kate joined our team this spring. She is an associate attorney with Rincker Law, PLLC working primarily from the Illinois office. Kate is licensed to practice law in New York and Connecticut. She is also a candidate to the Illinois bar. Kate concentrates in all aspects of family and commercial law. A portion of her …
Meet Carol Petersheim
Meet one of the 3 new friendly faces in the Illinois office. Carol works in the Illinois Office located in Downtown Champaign. She graduated from Arthur High School with Honors. She was a stay at home mom until filling the role of part time Legal Assistant at Rincker Law, PLLC. Carol grew up in Arthur, IL and currently lives there …
Amazon Suspension Prevention
There is an Amazon coach in my BNI Chapter and through my conversations with him, it’s come to my attention that entrepreneurs selling on Amazon.com run a risk of robots flagging something in their account and suspending it. In a sense, Amazon will suspend accounts and “ask questions later.” I regularly order goods from Amazon (pretty sure my postman thinks …
Depreciation of Farm Assets and Child Support in Illinois
Many times clients contact me on a child support matter who own farms and, accordingly, have expensive farm equipment. Farmers usually take deductions on the depreciation of expensive equipment on their tax returns. This MAY affect child support, as a trial court has discretion to include nonrecurring income in calculating net income for child support purposes. See In Re Marriage of …
Overview of Mediation
I will be speaking tomorrow at the crack of down tomorrow morning to the CU Sunrise Rotary Club on mediation. For those of you who are in Central Illinois, I would the support! The presentation is at 6:45am and coffee (and breakfast!) will be provided. Here are my materials for the presentation on mediation available on my JD Supra page …
Illinois Family Law: Relocation with Children
Various reasons prompt a parent to want to relocate with his or her child. Illinois, like most states, has strict procedures to follow when requesting a relocation since the relocation often times jeopardizes the relationship and time spent with the other parent. Relocation refers to three situations in Illinois, dependent on location: The parent moving more than 25 miles from …
Ask Cari: If a Parent Receives Money as a “Gift”, Does it Count as Income for Child Support Purposes?
Dear Cari, My parents give me money each month as I’m still a college student. Will this count as my “income” for child support purposes? I live in Urbana, Illinois. Thanks, Todd Dear Todd, Yes, the courts have the ability to consider that income. Consider these cases: In Re Marriage of Rogers, 213 Ill 2nd 129 (2004), which set forth …