News and Information from Rakowsky Mediation
I am kind of sorry
Who me, apologize? Whether at work, at home in our families, or in the public, every day someone is harmed in some way, intentionally or unintentionally and believes that they are entitled to an apology. These are for big conflicts that trigger lawsuits from the...
Some Commonly Held – But Mistaken Beliefs About Mediation
From experience in the practices of law and mediation, I’ve found several mistaken beliefs about disputes and their resolution. A small sampling follows. Belief #1: A good mediator should advocate for the parties to settle their case. As a mediator, I found that...
Tip for Estate Planning Lawyers: Use Mediation to Avoid Probate Litigation
No estate planner wants litigation over the estate plan she drafted. Settlors want their plans implemented as written and would likely abhor public disagreements over their capacity and assets. The litigation explosion burdening the probate court system is fueled by a...
Why is mediation good for business?
The best thing a business can do when a dispute interferes with productivity, is to be able to quickly navigate through it and get back to work. Often easier said than done. Many disagreements arise because people misunderstand the other person. It is helpful to...
When Should My Heirs Be Told of My Estate Plan?
Most of us avoid the conversation with our heirs for as long as possible. As decider of your estate plan, you have your reasons for the contents of plan. Often those reasons are a mystery to your survivors who have their own rational or irrational expectations. Each...
You Are Going to Settle Anyway
If there is a lawsuit or other legal proceeding pending, it will likely settle before trial. A very, very small percentage of cases go to trial these days. When the legal lines have just been drawn, it seems incongruous to stop drawing more legal lines. If you are...