MEDIATION

Preventing litigation in a family is crucial to positive ongoing relationships. Words said and accusations made in legal documents are hard to forget. Mediation can resolve disputes when those involved understand that with different perspectives come strong emotions about the dispute. Often it is hard to understand another's reality yet for those who want to have control of the outcome, save time and money and preserve relationships, this is a significant alternative.

As neutral intermediaries we support families in resolving disputes through a process that:

• Supports participants in understanding their own beliefs and intentions as well as the perceptions of others regarding distributions of an estate, control of assets including investments, operating or closely held businesses and personal affects.

• Encourages and participates with client families and their advisers in mediating current disagreements that could lead to disputes regarding family partnerships, investment policies, agriculture and commercial leases and other legal documents that would be vulnerable to litigation in the future.

• Finds resolution by defining and working through the issues to mutually acceptable agreements that brings a measure of satisfaction and closure in the context of the realities participants face.