The latest news from Virginia Mediation
Divorce Judge’s quote in a child custody case:
Nearly always child custody presents a most serious and trying problem. The writer of this opinion, as a trial judge, found it to be so and he finds it substantially the same as an appellate judge. The parents, both of them in many instances, are in court because of...
Why and how to keep your lawyer in the loop at minimum cost and still get good advice
1. Lawyer Ethics impose total responsibility on the lawyer for your court case. Even if suit has not been filed, most lawyers will feel that same responsibility once you hire them. Thus, when you choose to stay in control of your case using the mediation process, many...
OUR PARENT EDUCATION SEMINARS ARE DIFFERENT!
Virginia Mediation’s Parent Education Seminars have always covered the subjects required by Virginia Code Section 16.1-278.15 as to Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court (custody) cases and by Va. Code Section 20-103 as to Circuit Court (divorce) cases. These...
QR: The Quieting Reflex®
6 second stress reduction developed by Charles Stroebel, MD, PhD with modifications here by Bob Whitehouse, EdD, & A.Blanton Massey, JD,LLM Practice this 6 second technique many times a day to develop a stress reducing habit. It counters the STRESS ALARM Reflex in...
PARENT EDUCATION SEMINAR – TEMPORARY CORONAVIRUS SCHEDULE.
The following 4-Hour Educational Seminars meet the requirements of Virginia Code Sections 16.1-278.15 and 20-103 for parents who are Court Ordered to attend a Parent Education Class. CLASSES WILL BE CONDUCTED ON THE INTERNET USING ZOOM. DOWNLOAD ZOOM ON YOUR PHONE OR...
Consulting a Divorce Lawyer: A Client’s Bill of Rights
Use Counseled Mediation if I ask for it Focus on facts, finances, funds, feasibility, fairness & future Inform me promptly of what to expect and status Send me copies of everything Send me a monthly detailed bill Respect me & my right to decide Be honest &...
What to Expect From Your Lawyer
Some attorneys consulted by clients before and during mediation tend to give the clients only generic “legal information” about “legal rights.” They tell their clients what the statutory and case law says and how a judge generally tends to rule on typical issues. Even...
Why does my legal case take so long and cost so much?
A couple of 1983 graduates of U.Va.’s law school summarized the time/cost factor of litigation by quoting the famous Lexus automobile slogan “relentless pursuit of perfection.” They reflect over the years since meeting at law school orientation 27 years ago....
Litigation is an alternative to Mediation: Try Mediation First
Over 30 years ago the Virginia Supreme Court received a Report on what the future of the Virginia judicial system should look like, and what it should offer. The Report recommended that “the judicial system will…provide…dispute resolution alternatives…” Why?...
Lawyers can serve in one of three roles for clients.
Lawyers can play one of three different roles for you when you seek their advice during mediation, with increasing levels of commitment to you as a client. No Deposit; No Ongoing Relationship (Lowest Level of Commitment). You can hire them by the hour, pay...