Preparing for mediation – A mediation often represents the best opportunity the parties have before trial to resolve their dispute, so effective preparation is key to ensuring that the mediation is as constructive and effective as possible. Good preparation greatly improves the prospects of achieving a settlement; inadequate preparation can easily prevent the day from being worthwhile and can even undermine commercial representatives who commit time to the process only to see it founder on issues that could have been anticipated.

Take divorce steps one at a time – But you seem to be more in need of a safe place to sort out your feelings. A good, reputable therapist is an investment in your future. Try PFLAG, too, for coming-out support

4 Tips For Coping With The Emotional Cost Of Bankruptcy – Filing for bankruptcy is much more than just a stressful day at the office and a big pile of paperwork. It means the loss of a precious possession, one that may have taken years (perhaps even decades) to create. And for many business owners, even coming close to losing their company can have a devastating impact on their personal life and mental health.

6 Questions to Ask About Your Company’s Mediation Process – The use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) by U.S. companies—now encompassing all industries and every type of commercial dispute—has evolved in scope and application over the past 30 years.

5 Strong Buy Real Estate Mutual Funds Set to Outperform – Mutual Fund Commentary – Even though real estate has been through tough times recently, securities from this sector should continue to be an integral part of portfolios with a long term horizon. Over the years, mutual funds from this category have continued to perform favorably. They offer a convenient method to invest in real estate because of low initial investment requirements and the advantage of professional management. Investors willing to hold long term positions would do well to consider these funds as they add stability and bring steady returns to a portfolio.

Social Security Q&A: What Social Security Disability Insurance Options Are Open to People with Disabilities? – Social Security may be your largest or one of your largest assets. How you manage it, by deciding which benefits to collect and when, can make an absolutely huge difference to your lifetime benefits. And those with the highest past covered earnings have the most to gain from maximizing their Social Security.

Is Mediating Prenups a Form of Marital Mediation? – The typical lawyer-proffered prenup says that no (or little) money or assets are to be shared with the other spouse unless the moneyed spouse wants to. Further, generally there is no guarantee or minimum of assets provided to the less-moneyed spouse if the parties are married at the death of the more moneyed spouse. And there are iron-clad provisions preventing a spouse from claiming rights to the deceased’s estate.

30-Year Mortgage Rates Drop Again, Now 4.12%; Homeowners “In The Money” – For the sixth time in 9 weeks, and the twentieth time this year, 30-year mortgage rates are down across all mortgage loan types including FHA loans, USDA loans, VA loans, and conventional loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Banks, Financial Firms Load Up on Cheap Debt – Banks and other financial companies world-wide are issuing bonds in the U.S. at a record pace, taking advantage of this year’s surprising slump in interest rates and a brightening outlook for the sector.

Selecting your mediator and drafting the mediation agreement – Given the critical role played by the mediator in the mediation process, the selection of the mediator is a topic that attracts significant attention. While in some cases the parties (or their advisors) will have a specific mediator in mind or be content to engage a mediator proposed by one of the commercial ADR providers, the exercise of identifying suitable candidates is often more complex. This guide seeks to identify some of the key factors to consider in the selection process.

Want a Divorce? Stop the Emotional Yo-Yo and Be Clear About It – Don’t beat around the bush when asking for divorce.

When a Car Loan Means Bankruptcy – The mortgage industry set the stage for the recession by luring people into ruinously priced loans they could never hope to repay, then selling those loans to Wall Street in mortgage-backed securities that went bad. The federal government has since tamed that industry, outlawing most of the risky and deceptive practices that led to that crisis. It must now do the same with the auto lending industry, where the practice of roping people into loans that damage them financially is all too common.

Top 7 Worst States for Divorce – Divorce can take an emotional toll on a family, but the filing and legal process can add another headache in these seven states.

Foreclosure Starts Hit Pre-Crisis Low – The proportion of home loans that entered foreclosure in the second quarter of this year hit its lowest point since early 2006, before the crisis began, according to data released Thursday by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Average US 30-Year Mortgage Rate at 4.14 Percent – Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose slightly this week but remained near their lows for the year.

10 Tips for a Successful Mediation – If your company is headed to a mediation, you’re in good company. A recent study of more than 350 Fortune 1000 companies showed that nearly all of them have used mediation in the last three years to resolve a dispute. Compared to other dispute resolution mechanisms, mediation can be attractive for any number of reasons, not the least of which is that you are the master of your own fate and you have the opportunity to resolve matters early on—privately and without the extended costs and risks of litigation.

How Do I Know if I Should Get a Divorce? – Choosing to divorce is a decision not to be taken lightly. It’s a life-changing choice that will affect you for many years to come — especially if you have children. While there’s no easy answer to the question,”How do I know if I should get a divorce?” there are certain things to consider that may help you determine the future of your relationship and whether divorce is the right option for you.

Bubble-Era Loans Still Represent Two-Thirds of U.S.Foreclosure Inventory – Now new foreclosure activity — foreclosure starts — have dropped to a more than eight-year low, according to RealtyTrac’s June 2014 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. They are in effect back to normal levels they were at before the housing bubble burst in late 2006.

The psychology of mediation – In selecting a mediator, and in considering how the mediation will proceed, Tom needs to think about how the parties will be heard so that they feel their input counts. Picking the right mediator to foster this environment is critical.

Filing bankruptcy? How to protect loved ones who cosign loans – Bankruptcy filings can be tricky, especially if your finances are intertwined with those of others. It’s often wise to consult a bankruptcy lawyer before making any such move.

Top 10 Real Estate Investor Mistakes – For those of us who have been investing for years, and learned many hard and expensive lessons, here are issues you should think through, understand, and consider before jumping into the real estate investing arena.