A referee for family disputes?

This article from the Wall Street Journal talks about the growing popularity of using mediators to settle issues regarding elderly parents. It also gives a good idea of what to expect, and gives some links to the websites of mediators. Click here to read it.

I'm definitely in favour of disputes being mediated, as opposed to being hammered out in court. Having spent many years in estate litigation, I've seen the damage fights can do to families, not to mention their finances.

The photo shown here by Mark Matcho is also from the Wall Street Journal article.

Mentors try to help families resolve conflicts over aging parents

This article from the Washington Post gives some ideas about how family mediators can help those families where the kids disagree about their aging parents. I wish more families were willing and able to access this kind of help, as the fall-out from family fighting can be truly terrible. Click here to read the article.

When to bring in a third party to resolve family disputes

This is probably the best article I've read about elder mediation, as it's packed with information, explanations and ideas. Click here to read this article from Chris Cooper, a certified financial planner.