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Ed Jackson is a trained mediator.


Jackson, Jackson & Hayes, P.C. has the only Mediation Center located in Clinton County and at the present, Ed Jackson is the only mediator based in Clinton County that has completed 80+ hours of training in the practice of mediation, which includes 40 hours of training through the Institute of Continuing Legal Education - General Civil Mediation Training, and also an additional 40 hours of specialized training in divorce and custody mediation course approved by the Michigan Supreme Court Administrators Office (SCAO).


More and more people are choosing to resolve their divorce, custody, visitation, child support, and property issues outside of court because it costs far less both in terms of money and the emotional toll of trials and hearings.


Ed Jackson mediates cases for divorce mediation clients that are both represented by a lawyer, as well as parties that have chosen not to hire lawyers.  Ed also mediates cases where one party has a lawyer and the other does not.  


Ed also mediates business disputes, which includes disputes between two businesses such as a contractual dispute, and also situations where two or more owners of an individual business are attempting to split their business because differences have arisen in management.


To be clear, even if you and your spouse are not using lawyers, the two of you can chose to have Ed mediate directly with the two of you in an effort to resolve your case in full.


Below is an online article recently written and published online by Ed Jackson that should help you decide if divorce/custody mediation sounds like the right choice for you.


MEDIATION IN DIVORCE CASES AND THE IMPACT ON PARENTS AND THEIR KIDS.

 
By: Edward W. Jackson, Family Law Mediator and Family Law Attorney.

As a family law lawyer with 20 years of experience representing clients in divorces, I can 100% say that parents going through a divorce who are able to reach their own agreements about their children usually significantly reduce the negative impact a divorce has on their children and have a far better chance of co-parenting into the future.

The reason is that children, even at a very young age, are very perceptive when it comes to the way their parents feel about each other and often times will internalize both negative and positive feelings, words and actions of their parents.


Most parents agree that their children should view both parents in a positive way, even if the parents themselves are upset, angry or frustrated with each other because if they are in the middle of the fighting, the children usually end up confused, sad and even angry at both parents.

Unfortunately, if parents are unable to reach their own agreements, there is usually a hearing or trial where the focus is on the negative, after which a judge imposes a ruling on the parents about things like where the children will live, how often each parent sees the children and how involved each parent is allowed to be in decisions about the kids. It is not unusual after these hearings for there to be even more bitterness between the parents, which again is internalized by the children resulting in confusion, anger and sadness in both homes.

As a mediator with over 80 hours of specialized mediation training who has successfully resolved numerous custody issues between parents, I can attest to the fact that in the right setting, even in the most bitter divorce cases, that most parents are capable of putting their children’s interest first.

The “right setting” is often mediation. Mediation, unlike court, is not a litigation setting. Instead its a place where the parents meet with a neutral person called a mediator. The mediator has no power to impose rulings. Instead the mediator encourages frank and open talk by the parents about their children, and if needed, offers options and suggestions.

Since there is no judge looming over the parents in mediation, parents are more likely to have open and frank discussions about their kids. A good mediator helps the parents communicate openly and honestly where the parents jointly look at the pros and cons of different possible arrangements for the children. A good mediator will help the parents talk through the options and find their own arrangement.

Once the parents reach an agreement, it is placed into writing and ultimately made an order of the court. When agreements are reached by the parents, it usually results in the children feeling supported by both parents which helps them best cope with the divorce.

If you or someone you know is going through a divorce with children, or have ongoing issues after a divorce has already been completed, you may consider trying to mediate.


-Published by Ed Jackson on January 18, 2017.  All rights reserved.


Jackson, Jackson & Hayes has set up a dedicated space for mediation on the second level of the Jackson Professional Building located at 120 East Walker Street, St. Johns, MI 48879.


THE RIGHT MEDIATION ENVIRONMENT

Mediation has the best chance of being successful if all involved are physically comfortable.  With that in mind, Ed's Mediation Center is set up to cater to your comfort.  It is comprised of 5 separate rooms and 2 private bathrooms.

The Mediation Center is located in a dedicated space that is separated from the bustle of our busy law office.


Ed Jackson utilizes a combination of preparation, experience and technology to insure efficiency during the negotiation phase and final settlement phase when the settlement is placed into writing.


The Mediation Center Layout


 Joint settlement room 1.  An 8 person conference table, a chalkboard, and lots of natural light (there are 6 windows in this room).


Joint settlement room 2. A more informal area that has a leather couch, love seat, and easy chair to provide the parties and attorneys a more comfortable setting when needed.  This room will also be used for private meetings between the mediator and counsel.


Both joint conference rooms are equipped with flat screen televisions connected to the Mediator’s laptop so that relevant documents such as appraisals, support prognosticators, asset lists, and pleadings can be jointly created, reviewed and even edited.  Attorneys are welcome to bring a zip drive with relevant documents they request to be shown on the televisions during the mediation;
Complimentary WiFi.


Two individual private attorney meeting rooms. Each room has a 6 person conference table;
Two private bathrooms set up so that when the parties are separated into their individual meeting rooms that they each have access to their own bathroom in an area not accessible to the other party;


Lounge.  Fully stocked beverage refrigerator, Keurig individual coffee maker offering a wide variety coffee, and Culligan water cooler.


Food and beverage


For mediation that starts in the morning, attorneys and clients are provided a fresh fruit and a deli spread that has a mixture of fresh meats and cheeses, and usually something sweet, such as cookies.


A fully stocked fridge is open to all, as well as fresh coffee.


The parties and their lawyers order from Mancinos and lunch is brought in and paid for by Ed so the parties are able to work through lunch.


All food and beverage is complimentary.

ED IS A MEDIATOR THAT ADJUSTS TO THE ATTORNEY AND CLIENT NEEDS

Every mediation session is different.  Some mediation sessions require the mediator to remain neutral throughout the process and allow the parties and their attorneys to reach compromise.  Other times, reaching a settlement requires the mediator to be direct, and to provide an opinion on settlement terms, and push the process forward. Sometimes, a mix of these mediation styles are required in the same session.  

Ed Jackson is equally adept at both styles and adapts to each case.  Also, he will always invite attorney and client input on what is needed to get your case resolved.

The goal is not just reaching a settlement, but reaching a settlement that all the parties feel is fair.  
Ed is available to mediate: Divorce, Custody, Trust &Probate Estate Disputes, Business, Real  Estate, & Contract Disputes, and All Civil Cases

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