Study: Top predictor of divorce? – When it comes to predicting the success of marriage, arguments over children, sex and in-laws won’t increase your risk for divorce, but arguments over money will.
Malpractice not cause of healthcare cost – While healthcare costs continue to skyrocket, medical malpractice payments fell to a new low, undermining the argument that malpractice litigation costs contribute significantly to healthcare costs.
UNDERSTANDING BANKRUPTCY: How Detroit Will Affect Other Cities – In mid-July 2013, the media all over the United States broadcast the news that the City of Detroit, Mich. had filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection. The United States bankruptcy code provides that even a city may file for bankruptcy protection under 11 USC 9.
Public Citizen: Malpractice payouts hit record lows – Malpractice lawsuit awards are at an all-time low, according to an analysis from the consumer watchdog group Public Citizen.
Whether the dispute arises over a neighbor’s barking dog or a divorce in which both parties want custody of the beloved family pet, pet mediation is a field that is growing in popularity. In an effort to avoid costly litigation over matters involving pet ownership and disputes due to pet behavior, an increasing number of disputants are finding that pet mediation is a successful, cost-effective and time-saving alternative dispute resolution process.
In pet mediation, a professional mediator works with all parties involved to settle the dispute out of court. With a neutral, non-biased approach, a professional pet mediator can help the parties in dispute see the situation from everyone’s point of view, allowing parties to reach a resolution sooner (and with less bitterness). Facilitating open communication and mutual respect, pet mediation allows the disputant parties to stay in control of the outcome of the case and provides the option of eventually filing a lawsuit if the mediation outcome is unsuccessful.
However, in a Wall Street Journal article entitled “A Dog’s Bark is Better than Litigation’s Bite,” Debra Hamilton, a New York State Court-certified mediator, discusses another important reason why many pet owners are finding answers to their pet-related legal problems through pet mediation. According to Hamilton, on her experience, courts treat pets like property. A person’s attachment to an animal is not taken into consideration. “Courts are bound by statutes and precedent and can’t address the emotions owners may feel for their pets,” she says. For this reason, pet mediation often has a more satisfying outcome for everyone involved, since a pet mediator will take into account the emotions involved in the dispute.
In many cases involving disruptive barking or claims regarding threatening pets, the biggest problem is a failure to communicate. When each side is allowed an opportunity to calmly present its claim, and with the help of a mediator who understands civil law, pet mediation can resolve complaints quickly and effectively—at very little cost.
A high divorce rate means it’s time to try ‘wedleases’ – We all know that far too many marriages end in divorce, yet this institution does not adapt. Indeed, most Americans today want to expand conventional marriage to include same-sex couples.
Borrowers who lost homes to foreclosure resurface – There’s a new type of homebuyer on the prowl, and their individual financial histories may surprise you. Apparently, homeowners who lost homes to foreclosure during the recession have bounced back and, in many cases, they’re back looking for homes to buy.
What The End Of DOMA Means (And Doesn’t Mean) For Divorcing Same-Sex Couples – In a widely celebrated decision, the U.S. Supreme Court last month struck down a key provision of the “Defense of Marriage” Act (DOMA).
Eminent Domain: Laws and Loopholes that Benefit Fracking and Pipeline Companies – The rapid expansion of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking — a process that the oil and gas industry uses to extract natural gas and oil from shale rock formations buried deep within the Earth — has caused environmental and public health problems, and weak eminent domain laws and laws that cater to fracking and pipeline companies will only help spread these problems.
More associations choose mediation as first step in resolving disputes – Four more associations will now have mediation as a first step in resolving disputes with consumers, after they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) on Monday.
We’re Getting a Divorce, Now What? – Every divorce has unique circumstances that can directly influence the outcome, including who earns more, who gets custody of the children, or if one spouse has made a considerable financial contribution to the other’s earning potential. If you reviewed divorce laws state by state, you’d find that most states require assets to be split equitably, not equally. The unfortunate reality is that many divorced women could end up on the wrong side of what they perceive to be fair. But, there are steps you can take to help be prepared for the negotiation.