Going through a divorce can trigger difficult emotions. You may be wondering how to manage difficult emotions better. Are you having thoughts about how no one will ever want you, there’s something wrong with you, or you’ll be alone forever? Or you may be struggling with difficult emotions such as panic, self-doubt, anger, or dark moods. You may feel broken, messy, and less functional in your life. Some days you can see a future that is more hopeful but it’s hard to stay there. You get mad at yourself for falling back into the muck. A good therapist can help you understand what is happening to ..read more

Did you ever wonder why use a parenting coach? People may not understand that during times of crisis a parenting coach might be beneficial. Instead, you might turn to a therapist to help you process and get a grip on your emotions, so you can get back on track. Likewise, you might send your kids to a therapist to give them a caring adult to talk to. You might wonder if you use a parenting coach, doesn’t that mean that you are fundamentally not a good parent? No! That kind of thinking comes from the belief that parenting is innate—that we are born knowing how to do it instinctively. That’s jus ..read more

Perhaps you never even considered hiring a negotiation coach. You are a pretty strong communicator, so why would you need one? Think of hiring a negotiation coach like hiring a personal trainer. If you stop negotiating or stop practicing, you will not be as skilled as the next person who works on this skill regularly. Almost every conversation can be considered a negotiation. Negotiations are much broader than the typical contract negotiation that people might think of. Anytime two or more people are trying to get on the same page, it is a negotiation. Whether people are deciding on what rest ..read more

In this episode, Alice Shikina, a Negotiation Coach & Divorce Mediator, discusses how to negotiate and have difficult conversations about subtexts in negotiations. In it we discuss; 1. How to close sales better 2. How to talk about new employee performance 3. How to coach through divorces CLICK TO LISTEN NOW   The post How to Apply Mediation Techniques to Everyday Life on the Negotiate Anything Podcast appeared first on Shikina Mediation ..read more

Should you Consider a Loan Assumption? If you’re in a divorce process or considering it, one of the most challenging issues is dealing with the house. The house is the biggest financial asset and obligation in most divorces. It’s not something that can be taken lightly. With soaring rates and record-breaking property values, it’s only becoming more challenging. If you are going through divorce mediation, you may want to look at a loan assumption. What is a Loan Assumption? One option that often emerges to resolve the house is the idea of a loan assumption. That means one party taking over the ..read more

By Kristyn Carmichael, Esq. CDFA Finances during a divorce can become a very embattled conversation. Whether you are considering a divorce or are already in the middle of the process, most of my clients would say there are two typical categories of concerns that are their primary focus: The immediate future, including who keeps the house and their children will live; and The emotional rollercoaster of the process, from anger and sorrow to joy and relief. It’s normal to focus on these areas. Each are an integral piece of the divorce experience. However, I have found in almost every case, tha ..read more

Photo by Osarugue Igbinoba on Unsplash One of things I ask people when they approach me about mediation is whether they have an estate plan. Surprisingly, most people do not. Furthermore, many are not clear about why they should have one, to begin with. If you own a home or have children, you should definitely put together your estate plan. What is an estate plan? An estate plan outlines what you want to happen should you and your spouse die. You decide who should become the guardians of your children, you decide who the beneficiaries of your home and other assets are. Many people mistakenly ..read more

Do you get sweaty palms or an increased heartbeat just by thinking about negotiating something? Or are you a seasoned negotiator who loves to broker deals? Whether you are a novice at negotiating, never negotiate or love to negotiate anything, taking negotiation skills training will improve your life in ways you may not have expected.  The Non-Negotiator If you don’t feel like you need negotiation skills training, because you rarely negotiate anything, this is the exact reason why you should. If you don’t think you negotiate, it is because you don’t realize that everything is actually a ..read more

Divorce mediator vs lawyer? When people contact me, a divorce mediator, I am their first stop in their divorce process. Most of the time, it is their first divorce, so they have a very steep learning curve as to what they need to do to begin. They also are unclear as to whether they should hire an attorney or a mediator. There are good reasons why you should consider both options. A family law attorney can be used in several different ways, should you be thinking of hiring one for your divorce. We will discuss some of them now. Family law attorney Even if you are not interested in litigation ..read more

Going through a divorce can trigger difficult emotions. You may be wondering how to manage difficult emotions better. Are you having thoughts about how no one will ever want you, there’s something wrong with you, or you’ll be alone forever? Or you may be struggling with difficult emotions such as panic, self-doubt, anger, or dark moods. You may feel broken, messy, and less functional in your life. Some days you can see a future that is more hopeful but it’s hard to stay there. You get mad at yourself for falling back into the muck. A good therapist can help you understand what is happening to ..read more