Innovative Dispute Resolution In Uncertain Financial Times (P1) CD

Plenary Session

This plenary will address how the recent financial crisis has taken a psychological toll on families going through separation and divorce and the way professionals can use innovative dispute resolution processes to help them. Mary Lund will discuss how the recession may affect families and the added psychological stresses cash-strapped parents face if they go on to divorce. Forrest Mosten will apply his noted blend of innovative legal access combined with consumerism to address this problem. The courts have fewer resources to deal with separating and divorcing parties, and the parties have even less money to pay for traditional professional services outside of court. Forrest Mosten will examine the history of court-mandated mediation and discuss how current financial and political forces reduce the courts' ability to help divorcing families. They will also discuss the symbiosis between the courts and legal and mental health professionals in the private sector in dealing with this crisis. The plenary will conclude with Mosten's agenda for applying the innovations of unbundled legal services, interdisciplinary collaborative practice, and professional peacemaking and the psychological benefits to families.