Champaign County Bar Association’s Family Law Committee is teaming up with the Dispute Resolution Institute, Inc. to hold a 40 hour mediation training via Zoom. The first 20 hours will be the basic civil mediation training and the second 20 hours will be focused on family law mediation. This has been approved by the Sixth Circuit in Illinois and may …
I’m very proud to be a part of a nimble profession who is able to adjust during these unprecedented times. I have been conducting meditations online via Zoom and GoToMeeting for family law disputes (including child issues and divorce matters). I took it up a notch in the month of May and completed a 20 hour training via Mediate.com. Rincker …
Not only am I on the mediation roster for the Sixth Circuit (including Champaign and Douglas Counties) and the Fourth Circuit (including Shelby County) but I am now on the roster for the Fifth Circuit which includes Coles County, Vermilion County and Edgar County. I’m very passionate about using mediation to help navigate child related issues. I’m also a mediator …
The mediator should begin the mediation session with laying a few ground rules. Here are some examples: 1. Explaining his/her role in the process 2. Reminding everyone about confidentiality and how the information used in the mediation is for “settlement purposes” and cannot be used in court 3. Depending on preference, asking the parties to put cellphones on silent or …
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 …
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, …
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 …
After deciding the “basic parenting time schedule”, parents should then decide how they want to handle holidays. Holidays include the following: School holidays/ National holidays (e.g., Columbus Day, Memorial Day) Religious holidays (e.g., Easter) Other holidays (e.g., Halloween) Birthdays (parents and children) Father’s Day and Mother’s Day Parents should make a list of all applicable holidays in which the parents …
Mediation vs. Arbitration Mediation is oftentimes confused with arbitration. In mediation, a mediator acts as a neutral third party to help the parties reach an amicable resolution. Put simply, a mediator helps facilitate a conversation between the parties. A mediator is not a judge or a jury and does not make a decision for the parties. However, in some instances, …