What Is Alternative Dispute Resolution?
by Amber M. Serwat
If you are contemplating divorce, doing your research and thinking about how to proceed with the process, you may find yourself running across the term – Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This term includes several different types of strategies to resolve conflict between parties, without going through the traditional litigation process. The courts are backed up with many cases and it can take weeks, months and even longer to set up a date for your case to be heard. As a result, the Minnesota courts are encouraging individuals to try an alternative dispute resolution technique before going through the courts. Mediation is one highly effective
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One of the most common questions we get from potential clients is whether they need to go through the courts to complete a divorce. The answer may not be what you expect. There is a long-held myth that the only/best way to resolve the issues in a divorce is with a long, nasty court battle. In fact, when we see divorces referenced in the news or portrayed in a movie, that is usually what you will see. However, in reality, you can complete the entire divorce process without ever stepping foot in a courtroom
If you were planning a wedding between March of 2020 and summer of 2021, you likely had to reschedule it or change your plans significantly because of COVID-19. With state guidelines on how many people can safely gather indoors, many wedding venues are simply deemed unsafe for a traditional wedding. What you might not realize, however, is that in addition to their being fewer than normal weddings, COVID-19 has
Just because many aspects of our lives have come to a grinding halt, does not mean that our lives have stopped all together. We have been at home more with our immediate families. For some families, this added time has made these long months more bearable. For other families, this intense period of time at home may have made an already difficult situation worse. If you have decided that it is time to separate from your spouse
One of the most difficult aspects of a divorce for parents is the impact it has on their children. Sitting down with your kids to let them know that you have decided to separate is extremely difficult emotionally for all involved. If you are able to communicate clearly and plan well, you can minimize the pain that your children will feel. Of course, there is no way to take all of the pain away – divorce is hard.
Many people assume that working with a lawyer to navigate a divorce is a necessary path forward. The assumption is that a lawyer will fight for your rights and help you “win” a settlement that will be in your best interest long-term. This win/lose outcome is one of the most problematic aspects of settling your divorce with the courts. Litigation is adversarial and pits you and your ex against each other. This is difficult during the divorce but also has its drawbacks when it comes to the aftermath as well. Particularly if you share children, finding common ground is much more important than winning a single battle. Mediation offers you a safe and effective way to resolve the important aspects of your divorce without a win/lose solution.
