Explaining the Divorce Mediation Process in Minnesota
May 30, 2013 | Elizabeth A. SchadingIf you’re considering the services of a divorce mediator in Minnesota for your divorce then you’re in good company. Mediation works well in about 75{a0c01d20c42349884e67ff80c137866b0a9fe47aaae8f8a86a605a369ae487c3} of all divorce cases, and the divorce mediation process can leave you with a settlement that you can live with – one that you had a direct hand in creating. However, it’s hard to make an informed decision when divorce mediation is a mystery to you. What will happen? How do you know you’ll get a fair deal? If your spouse is domineering, how do you know you won’t be at a disadvantage? Issues of Divorce Mediators are trained to handle all of the issues that might be present in your divorce, including child custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, and the division of assets and liabilities. Make sure you come to your mediation prepared with any and all documents and records which might have a bearing on these issues. The Mediator’s Role The mediator is there for several reasons. At BGS, your mediator has a law degree, but is not serving as a lawyer to either party. The mediator is not a judge and cannot force you into any decision. Instead, the mediator is there to keep the communication between you and your ex respectful and…
Read MoreTexting and Driving Dangers
May 28, 2013 | Jon P. EricksonI recently read an article that stated that “texting is now the leading cause of death for teen drivers.” The article was based on a study done for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The study contains data that supports that texting while driving has become an even greater hazard for teenagers than drinking and driving. Minnesota law prohibits operating a motor vehicle while “using a wireless communications device to compose, read or send an electronic message while the car is in motion or a part of traffic.” A violation is a misdemeanor crime. This law applies to juveniles as well as adults. Minnesota law also prohibits any driver under age 18 to use a phone for any purpose while driving. The days between Memorial and Labor Days have been called the “100 deadliest days for teenage drivers.” A coalition of our country’s largest wireless carriers have joined in a national advertising campaign to discourage mobile users from texting while driving during these upcoming 100 days. AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile are all joining this campaign which they call “It Can Wait.” Here is AT&T’s Don’t Text While Driving Documentary: Let’s all pause and join them in reminding our teenage drivers that “It Can Wait.” You can also find out more information…
Read MoreHow Mediation in Minnesota is Effective at Creating Elder Care Solutions
May 27, 2013 | Elizabeth A. SchadingCaring for aging or dependent parents can be a source of contention among adult children. If you and your siblings are fighting constantly over how to care for an elderly father or mother then you might be interested to know just how effective mediation in Minnesota can be at creating elder care solutions. There are many common issues that can arise when a parent’s health and independence start to fail. There might be questions about housing and living arrangements, or having a live-in caregiver vs. moving to an assisted living facility. Your elderly parent may not want to give up his or her car keys, while you and your siblings know it’s the right thing to do, for the parent’s safety and the safety of others. You may want your parent to get medical treatment that he or she is refusing for some reason. There might be arguments about inheritances, whether or not to sell the house, and how the caregiver-sibling is managing the money. If your elderly parent is on life support there may even be arguments about whether or not the parent should be kept alive. For the most part, everyone involved only wants what’s best for the aging parent. However, not everybody agrees on how to get to what’s best….
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