Mediation Can be a Less Expensive Option than Litigation in a Divorce

There’s no questioning that divorces are stressful for all parties involved. Some divorcing spouses may choose to mediate instead of litigate, and the choice of mediation can carry many benefits.

Mediation is a form of alternate dispute resolution where a qualified third party negotiator helps to negotiate a settlement. In dissolution of marriage cases, each spouse can be represented by his or her own attorney, but may choose to go before a licensed court-approved mediator, often a barred attorney, to reach an agreement on child custody, support, alimony and the distribution of assets.

One benefit to mediation is the cost. By using facilitated negotiation, couples can often workout their differences together and avoid costly court and attorney fees. Another benefit to mediation is the time frame. A litigated divorce can take years to reach a final judgment, where sometimes a mediated divorce can be resolved in several months.

Mediation allows the divorcing parties to be in control of their outcome, where judicial outcomes can be rigid and define a winner and a loser. A consequence of this type of resolution often brings about more compliance in a divorce settlement, because both parties feel that they have worked hard to negotiate a final agreement.

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The Law Offices of Jeremy W. Howe, LTD. Providing Family Law and Elder Law Services to Rhode Island since 1974.

"We Make Elder Law House Calls!"

Probate Experts Agree - James Gandolfini's Will is a Tax Disaster

The untimely death of actor James Gandolfini at the young age of 51, brings the importance of proper estate planning into light.

In the case of Gandolfini’s estate, probate experts agree that his will is a tax disaster. Of his $70 million estate, a whopping $30 million of it will go directly to the IRS. Apparently 80% of his estate was subject to “death taxes” at a rate of about 55%.

To read more about James Gandolfini’s will, and a few tips on estate planning, click on the following link:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2013/07/20/key-lessons-from-james-gandolfinis-will/

What about you? Is your will up to date? Are your loved ones vulnerable to losing a large portion of your estate to taxes?

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeremy W. Howe, LTD., specialize in probate, estate planning and elder law. If you would like to verify that your will is current with today’s probate laws, contact the lawyers at his Providence, Rhode Island office for a free comprehensive telephone consultation.

Attorney Jeremy Howe and his team of elder law and family court lawyers have been providing quality elder law representation in Rhode Island for nearly four decades. He and his co-mediator have successfully mediated hundreds of divorce, family law and elder law cases throug
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The Law Offices of Jeremy W. Howe, LTD. Providing Family Law and Elder Law Services to Rhode Island since 1974.

"We Make Elder Law House Calls!"