USA Today explains investing for the future (in relationships, that is [not how to make money fast or other get rich quick schemes]). Sharon Jayson writes (excerpt): Now research from the University of Denver supports the idea that finding moments…
Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook’s divorce case: A mediation alternative to knock-down, drag-out battles
Newsday shows how divorce mediation can “avoid the circus that you see in the Brinkley case” [of Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook]. Divorce mediation–especially mediation of custody disputes–controls costs, maintains privacy, limits conflict, and promotes relationships and shared goals. Michael…
Essentially human: an answer to the question, “am I normal?”
Psychology Today explains how not being “normal” is normal, and perhaps what makes you most special! Kathleen McGowan writes (excerpt): In probing the common standards of normality, Wood has made a surprising discovery: Being normal is actually extraordinary. It’s an…
Celebrity divorces: lessons of the rich and famous
USA Today shares divorce lessons of the rich and famous. Jane Straus provided her comments on Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon, Hilary Swank and Chad Lowe, Kate Hudson and Chris Robinson, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, Charlie Sheen and Denise…
Divorced parents learning to get along
The Grand Forks Herald reveals the appeal of divorce mediation. Janell Cole writes (excerpt): “Mediation can be successful because its focus is on the strengths each person has as a parent and on the joint goals and aspirations parents have…
Kent County’s Pilot Project: Grand Rapids divorce attorneys to use nicer labels, parenting plan proposals, more ADR
The Michigan Supreme Court has issued Administrative Order No. 2008-1 (Pilot Project No. 1), 17th Judicial Circuit Court, (Expedited Process in the Resolution of the Low Conflict Docket of the Family Division), for Kent County divorces. “The pilot project will…
That’s so Gay: Caring, sharing, treating others as equals
The New York Times helps us understand the key to happiness in a marriage or relationship. Tara Parker-Pope writes (excerpt): “How people care for each other, how they share responsibility, power and authority — those are the key issues in…
Co-parenting: A little more clear-headed after the divorce
NJ.com shows divorcing parents how to rebuild a functioning relationship, all for the sake of the kids. There is mention of collaborative divorce, but the focus is on keeping bitterness and rage from controlling your life. Kathleen O’Brien writes (excerpt):…
Ways to avoid a nasty divorce
The ABA Journal emphasizes “efforts to take the nastiness out of divorce proceedings.” Jill Schachner Chanen writes (excerpt): [re: Collaborative Divorce] An even more significant development is the growing use of what practitioners term a collaborative approach to divorce cases.…
Eight principle of persuasion: getting what you want
New Scientist teaches lessons from the science of persuasion. Dan Jones and Alison Motluk write (excerpt): Persuasion is a key element of all human interaction, from politics to marketing to everyday dealings with friends, family and colleagues. “Persuasion is a…
Scalia’s “Making Your Case”: Rules of persuasion in court and in life
Business Week puts a little spin on U.S. Associate Justice Antonin Scalia and editor-in-chief of Black’s Law Dictionary Bryan Garner’s “Making Your Case,” picking out 10 rules of persuasion that apply in the courtroom and beyond. Carmine Gallo writes(excerpt): Know…
Divorce’s impact on a business
Seattle’s Eastside Business Journal references the hidden cost divorce can have on a business, often the foundation for both the owner’s, the former spouse’s and the children’s quality of life. Karin Quirk writes (excerpt): When the business owner is the…
Doable togetherness: Best ways to keep intimacy in your marriage
The Philippine Daily Inquirer presents 10 “bite-size efforts [that] go a long way for a happy togetherness.” Anna Sobrepeña’s list includes (excerpt): 1. Keep a weekly appointment with each other. 2. Share thoughts. 3. Read the same page. 4. Speak…
Divorce mediation: creative solutions, calming influence
The Akron Beacon Journal hails the verdict: “Mediation saves.” Paula Schleis writes (excerpt): ”With a third person present, it just changes things. People are able to talk things over,” said Bernard Winick, who teaches business law at the University of…
Resolving custody and financial issues through collaborative divorce
The Union shows the growing trend toward collaborative divorce. Janet Harley writes (excerpt): Parents who still must raise their children together are unable to look at each other, much less talk to each other. Those of us working in the…
Creating a peaceful divorce
The Santa Barbara Independent comments on how to get a win-win split in divorce. Kevin Bourke writes (excerpt): Divorce mediation has become increasingly popular in recent years. If you and your soon-to-be ex are both intent on creating a peaceful…
Can your employer monitor your email?
The ABA Litigation News Online reveals a problem with using your employer-provided email address. Your email–even to your attorney–may not be private, confidential or protected. Ruth E. Piller writes (excerpt): Employees who believe their email communications with their attorneys are…
Empowering families to live deeper, richer, healthier lives
MLive-Grand Rapids Press put Maranda in the spotlight with her new “Where You Live” show. This show encourages us to be creative and effective as we guide our children toward becoming responsible and happy adults. The show airs at 7…
Using intellective and judgmental persuasion to win your case in court
The ABA’s Litigation Update distinguishes between the two ways decision makers approach problems. Harry Plotkin writes (excerpt): When humans—especially in groups—are asked to solve intellective problems that have right and wrong answers, they utilize informational processing. They share facts and…
Couples dancing with the stars
The Sturgis Journal illustrates what marriage and dancing have in common, putting commitment in perspective. James and Audora Burg write (excerpt): The late Paul Pearsall, neuropsychologist and best-selling author of 18 books, noted “Marriage, families, all relationships are more a…