This is the authoritative textbook on family mediation. As well as mediators, this work will be indispensable for practitioners and scholars across a wide range of fields, including social work and law. It draws on a wide cross-disciplinary theoretical literature and on the author's extensive and continuing practice experience. It encompasses developments in policy, research and practice in the UK and beyond. Roberts presents mediation as an aid to joint decision-making in the context of a range of family disputes, notably those involving children. Mediation is seen as a process of intervention distinct from legal, social work and therapeutic practice, drawing on a distinctive body of knowledge across disciplinary fields including anthropology, psychology and negotiation theory. Incorporating empirical evidence, the book emphasizes the value of mediation in mitigating the harmful effects of family breakdown and conflict. First published in 1988 as a pioneering work, this third edition has been fully updated to incorporate legal and policy developments in the UK and in Europe, new sociological and philosophical perspectives on respect, justice and conflict, and international research and practice innovations.

Building on the success of their groundbreaking 1988 Divorce Mediation, Folberg et al. now present the latest state-of-the-art, comprehensive resource on family and divorce mediation. Paving the way for the field to establish its own distinct discipline and academic tradition, this authoritative volume offers chapters contributed by leading mediation researchers, trainers, and practitioners. Detailed are the theory behind mediation practice, the contemporary social and political context, and practical issues involved in mediating divorce and custody disputes with contemporary families. Authors also address intriguing questions about professional standards and where the field should go from here. A groundbreaking resource, this volume is indispensable for all mental health and legal professionals working with families in transition.

Mediation provides an alternative to litigation in the courts to resolve family disputes and/or make arrangements about children, finances, and other personal matters after separation or divorce. It is intended to reduce the time, cost, and stress involved by helping families reach long-lasting agreements in the best interests of all involved. The UK government is increasingly supportive of this form of dispute resolution and matrimonial lawyers need to be aware of how they can integrate mediation with their existing legal skills. Now in its second edition, this is an authoritative and practical guide which clearly explains the mediation process, taking the reader through each stage, explaining how to interact with other professionals, and providing invaluable advice on the role of the mediator in particular situations.

No matter your profession (attorney, clinician, family therapist) or skill level (seasoned professional or novice), The Handbook of Family Dispute Resolution is an invaluable resource that outlines the most effective mediation approaches, techniques, and skills. The Handbook of Family Dispute Resolution is a practical and comprehensive guide that includes * A review of professional ethics and standards * Help for attorneys who are not trained in the skills needed for working with families * Information about cultural issues that affect families during mediation * Highlights of key legal and negotiation skills * Guidelines for understanding complex family dynamics and conflicts * A screening tool for evaluating domestic violence * A matrix for starting discussions of parenting plans based on children's needs * An examination of specialized practices for family mediation * Direction for assessing one's professional approach to family mediation

The new edition of Family Mediation: Theory and Practice incorporates the many new developments in the field since its original publication in 2009. This edition includes a new chapter, 'Unrepresented Parties and Mediation', exploring the impact of the vast number of pro se litigants on the family mediation process. Another new chapter, 'Beyond Mediation: Collaborative Practice and Other Forms of ADR in Family Law', reflects the expanding options for family dispute resolution since our first edition. The new edition also includes an updated and expanded statutory appendix featuring representative changes in court based mediation rules and statutes, including new approaches to courts' treatment of domestic violence cases in family mediation as well as new rules on confidentiality and mediator qualifications and training. The remaining chapters are wholly revised and updated, including additional materials on mediating financial issues, domestic violence and mediation, mediator neutrality, and power differentials. The teacher's manual includes new seminar plans, exam questions and role plays.

Long recognized as the authoritative guide for clinicians working with divorcing families, this book presents crucial concepts, strategies, and intervention techniques. Robert E. Emery describes how to help parents navigate the emotional and legal hurdles of this painful family transition while protecting their children's well-being. The book is grounded in cutting-edge research on family relationships, parenting, and children's adjustment, including Emery's groundbreaking longitudinal study of the impact of divorce mediation versus litigation. It provides a detailed treatment manual for mediating custody and other disputes, developing collaborative parenting plans, and fostering positive postdivorce family relationships. New to This Edition *Reflects the latest psychological research, as well as divorce and custody law. *Chapters on understanding and addressing divorcing partners' anger and grief. *Treatment manual chapters have been extensively revised. *Incorporates the author's 12-year follow-up study.

This is an important resource for attorneys and related professionals to help their clients in resolving - and avoiding - disputes that occur in the estate planning process. Written by a team of experienced attorneys and mediators, Mediation for Estate Planners provides the fundamental knowledge and basic tools employ mediation within an estate planning practice. It provides practice-proven guidance on recommending mediation to clients, either at the planning stage or soon after a dispute surfaces, so that families may be able to resolve disagreements before entrenched positions are established. The book considers all relevant issues involving the use of mediation in an estate planning practice, including drafting mediation clauses for estate planning documents; using mediation to resolve probate and trust disputes; addressing family business succession; guardianship and conservatorship issues; using mediation in hospital settings when families face difficult end of life decisions; working through disputes between trustees and beneficiaries; and more.

This open access book presents twelve unique studies on mediation from researchers in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, respectively. Each study highlights important aspects of mediation, including the role of children in family mediation, the evolution and ambivalent application of restorative justice in the Nordic countries, the confusion of roles in court-connected mediation, and the challenges in dispute systems. Over the past 20-30 years, mediation has gained in popularity in many countries around the world and is often heralded as a suitable and cost-effective mode of conflict resolution. However, as the studies in this volumes show, mediation also has a number of potential drawbacks. Parties’ self-determination may be jeopardized, affected third parties are involved in an inadequate way, and the legal regulations may be flawed. The publication can inspire research, help professionals and policymakers in the field and be used as a textbook.

Designed as a practical hands-on manual or text for students and professors of social work, Therapeutic Family Mediationwill also prove highly useful to mental health practitioners, legal professionals and mediators, couples going through divorce, and community workers specializing in family services. Key Features: Guides the reader through the authors′ five-step model: Intake/Assessment, Pre-Mediation, Negotiation, Termination, and Follow-Up Outlines the use of parenting plans and financial plans Explores patterns of conflict and monetary issues Explains the process of drafting contracts Provides the tools necessary for assisting high-conflict couples and culturally diverse couples

Although there are a number of mediation books, none provide a step-by-step description of each stage in the process. This book, designed as a mediator's handbook, can be used by the practicing mediator to solve almost any problem. It can also be used by trainers to provide more basic information to trainee mediators, thus allowing them more time for practicing the skill in training. The book will also be of interest to students and practitioners of family therapy, to social workers, and counselors.