Mediators for Elder Affairs

Within mediation circles, there is a small group of mediators who specialize in elder affairs.  They help families work through concerns or fights centered around issues such as caregiving, inheritance, living arrangements, and estate planning. 

Mediators do not solve a problem, but they can facilitate a resolution amongst family members.  Many times, there is a united group of siblings, but the elder of the family is opposed and the siblings won’t listen.  Sometimes, the elder just wants to be heard and ideally, mediation satisfies that by giving everyone an equal voice.  In other instances, parents may need help resolving intense disagreements among siblings. 

Even though agreements in mediation are not binding, and happy endings are not guaranteed, a lot of suffering can be avoided if families address problems together.

See Glenn Ruffenach, When To Call An Elder Mediator, The Wall Street Journal, Aug. 28, 2012.  

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.