Every day another elder parent in another family reaches the point where the tables are turned. Now the "kids" have to help make decisions about their parents. Often the decision making gets tough especially where there are several people involved.

In each of the situations below, and so many more, families in conflict get the help they need making the tough choices with a mediator from Eldercare Family Mediation.

Where should mom live now that she can't drive anymore? Should she sell her house and move in with Eric? Does she get an apartment in town so she can walk to the store?

Soon dad will be released from the skilled nursing facility and he needs someone to handle his money. Claire never trusted Zoe and neither of them trusts Pete. But dad always thought the oldest kid should handle his financial affairs.

Things are going from bad to worse. Hospice has been called in and mom is suffering a lot. She never told her kids what to do in a situation like this. Mark wants to take her off life support. Gina cannot bear the thought. There is a stalemate.

HOW IT WORKS

• The mediator first speaks to each of the participants on the phone privately to understand their perspective on the issues.
• The mediator schedules a time for the first session.
• All of the participants attend the first session in person or via video
  conference.
• At the first session the mediator explains the ground rules and the process so that everyone is on the same page.
• The mediator helps the family set an agenda so the most pressing issues get dealt with first.
• Everyone has a chance to share their views and their concerns.
• The mediator helps everyone to listen and to be heard. Understanding
  replaces confrontation.
• The mediator guides the family through careful brainstorming and problem
  solving, and gets down to the underlying issues that need work.
• The mediator helps the family to create a written game plan that contains all of the agreements made.
• Everything is totally confidential.

CLIENTS' COMMENTS

"Gary Weiner served as mediator for our entire family in a very difficult situation. He treated each of us with dignity and respect and met us where we were. With his assistance we were able to reach workable agreements that ultimately allowed us to heal the rifts that had caused us all a great deal of pain."

Dan O'Connell - family mediation participant

"Gary Weiner is my mediator of choice when the issues between the parties are rooted in emotional entanglements. Unlike some mediators who tend to get lost in the law, Gary has the ability to humanize the issues and bring the parties together."

Bob Oliker - Attorney

"There are few mediators I know who can work with the most sensitive cases. Gary Weiner has the special personal skills necessary to help people really work with each other to solve tough interpersonal conflict."

Al Cordova - Attorney

Proudly serving Sonoma, Lake, Marin, & Napa Counties.

Gary Weiner ADR
PO Box 1619 Sebastopol, CA 95473
Phone #: 707-829-2333
Email: gw49@comcast.net

If you prefer, indicate your needs in the form below and I will contact you to let you know how I can help.

Gary Weiner has been a leader in the conflict resolution field in Sonoma County since 1992.

~Former Principal Mediator and General Counsel, Council on Aging, Sonoma County.

~Former Director Sonoma County Superior Court Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Former adjunct professor of law at the Hastings College Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution.

~Former member Alternative Dispute Resolution committee of the State Bar of California.

~Mediation trainer High Courts of Mumbai and Delhi, India.