Probate or Elder Care Mediation Services provided by CT Mediation Center

Meeting the Needs

CT Mediation Center exists to meet the unique needs of families in conflict.  Our primary focus is to help families make decisions and carefully evaluate all the options available. 

What Does a Mediator Do?

An Elder Care Mediator or Probate Mediator is a neutral third party who guides the family through the appropriate processes in order to help them reach true consensus on decisions regarding eldercare.
 

 

 

A mediator can clear misunderstandings, provides for the expression of true feelings, and keeps the family on track.

A mediator involves the parents, children, family members, to the extent possible, in the process focusing on their capabilities rather than their perceived incapacities. Attorneys often deal exclusively with a guardian or attorney-in-fact, but in mediation, parents can be included fully or to the extent possible.

Encourages family members to focus on what is in the best interest of their parent or family member who needs care.

Helps the family members consider as many options as possible and helps them evaluate options while leaving the decision making to the family. 

The Opportunity

Mediation provides the opportunity for the family to work out their own agreement in a safe and non confrontational environment with the assistance of a trained neutral third person. The Mediator does not render a decision, rather helps the family consider and/or develop alternatives to disputes regarding various issues. 

A variety of issues can be addressed or decided using Elder Care or Probate Mediation:
 

Quality of Life

Housing

Car Keys, Driving & Transportation (limitations on driving, testing, transportation to medical appointments, friends, social events & church)

Caregiving (division of duties, relief for caregivers, level of care needed, planning vacations for parents & caregivers)

Financial Decisions

Working through Family Fights (improving sibling relationships, learning communication skills, & working as a team)

Geriatric Assessment

Wills, Trusts & Estates (planning, distribution of assets, & resolution of family disputes)

Division or Sale of Farms, Businesses & Property

Powers of Attorney & Options of Guardianship 

Health Care Decisions

Emergency Decisions

Planning Ahead for End of Life Decisions (funeral planning & advanced directives, Living Wills/Life Prolongation, organ donation preference, appointment of health care representatives)

Level or care

The Mediation Process:
 

Supports non adversarial approaches to the resolution of issues.

Assists the family to understand all the issues.

Works out creative solutions, geared to the needs of the parents or loved one.

Leaves control over resolutions with the family, rather than with attorneys and judges.

Helps work past the anger, conflict and loss associated with the family disputes, and can become the setting in which a sound foundation for the future may be established. 

For more information regarding Elder Care Mediation or Probate Mediation, please call the CT Mediation Center at (860) 986-1141 or visit www.CTMediationCenter.com
  
Read the New York Times article on Mediating Elder Care.

Elder Mediation Matters: Probate, Guardianship and Family Care-giving

Description: Conflict associated with estate matters, adult guardianship and family care-giving can tear families apart. Present decisions regarding an aging family member can be influenced by past history. More families will be faced with difficult choices as the population ages in growing numbers. Elder Mediation offers the opportunity to avoid going through the court system which can be costly, time-consuming and divisive. A skilled Elder Mediator can help participants focus on the future and arrive at creative solutions. 

http://www.mediate.com/articles/curcioS1.cfm