Mediators Focus on Elder Issues

For years, divorcing couples have hired mediators to avoid court battles. Now, some mediators are starting to specialize in resolving disputes that relate to older adults, such as those over inheritances and caregiving.

"Elder mediation has started to take off over the past couple years," says Dana Curtis, an attorney who mediates disputes and trains elder mediators at Elder Mediation Group in Sausalito, Calif.

Families who hire an elder mediator often do so to save money. To work with a mediator in private practice, a family can expect to spend from $100 to $500 an hour. A national network of nonprofit "community mediation" services charge little to nothing.

In contrast, if a family opts to pursue a lawsuit, each party must retain an attorney.

And unlike court proceedings, the mediation process is confidential, says Myer Sankary, founding director of Adult Resolutions & Mediation Services, a California nonprofit that trains elder mediators.

But while attorneys or judges sometimes refer families to mediation, participation is voluntary and the mediator "has no authority" to impose a settlement, Mr. Sankary adds.

Mediators can help families resolve a range of issues. Most often it's to resolve a fight over money. But some conflicts concern responsibility for caregiving or for making decisions on behalf of an aging parent.

via Mediators Focus on Elder Issues - WSJ.com.