Dispute Resolution

Mediate your disputes to preserve your relations!

For those having difficulties with family, Orella Associates offers Dispute Resolution services. We mediate couple and family conflict around transition decisions – such as those involving residential, personal property, health, and child or parental care decisions – and offer ways to foster positive communication in times of change.

What is mediation? Mediation is the opportunity to bring an impartial party in to observe and assist with the communication in situations that tend to be emotionally charged and currently at an impasse. The mediation process takes place in a neutral, collaborative environment in which all involved parties have an equal, balanced opportunity to have their wishes and goals understood. (For further information, see “What is Mediation” at www.mediate.com)

In each family and elder mediation scenario, Orella Associates takes a communicative approach to resolution. Our intention is to refocus the communication strategies exhibited by parents, adult children, and siblings in ways that not only reach decisions but also maintain (or even enhance) family relationships.

We primarily employ a style of mediation in which the mediator maintains a neutral position while asking questions, searching for underlying goals, and assisting the parties in finding a solution, by seeking to empower the parties to transform their relationship into something more constructive (Zumeta, 2000).

When to use mediation? Mediation is appropriate for those emotional, stressful situations in which family members have been unable to reach an amicable decision. These include:

* should an aging parent stay in her home or move to assisted living,

* who will provide care to an aging parents and by what means,

* what health provisions will be made in times of terminal illness,

* how will a decedent’s personal property be allocated among family and friends, or

* who will be involved in family estate or business transition planning?

Initial consultations may be done in-person or on-line using a video calling services such as Skype. Contact Orella for more information (info@orellaassociates.com).