If you suggest mediation to your lawyer and been met with resistance, you’re not alone. It can be confusing. Why would a legal professional advise against a process that is often faster, cheaper, and less stressful than going to court? The answer isn’t always simple, but it’s important to understand the dynamics at play. It’s rarely about malice; it’s often …
When Brother vs. Sister Threatens the Business: Finding Common Ground The family business was built as a team effort. But when parents step aside, that team can fracture. Old childhood dynamics resurface, and sibling rivalry—once about toys or attention—escalates into a high-stakes battle over leadership, money, and legacy. This situation often exemplifies sibling rivalry in family business settings. The question …
Your Family vs. The Courtroom: Choosing the Right Path for Your Business When a conflict over your family business’s future arises, you face a critical choice: how will you resolve it? This often involves choosing between mediation and litigation, leading to the classic debate of mediation vs litigation, two distinct approaches with profound consequences for your finances, your well-being, and …
Is Your Family’s Legacy at Risk? The Hidden Cost of Succession Disputes. For generations, your family business has been more than just a company—it’s a source of pride, identity, and financial security. But when the time comes for succession, this legacy can become a source of conflict. Disagreements over leadership, ownership, and fairness can escalate, threatening to tear the business—and …
Demystifying the Mediation Process: A Path to Peaceful Transition The decision to use mediation for your family business dispute is a smart one. But we understand that the unknown can be intimidating. You might be wondering, how does family business mediation work? What actually happens in a mediation session? How do you go from conflict to a signed agreement? At …
Creating a family business succession plan is complex, blending financial, legal, and deeply personal family dynamics. Even with the best intentions, many families fall into predictable traps that can derail the transition and cause lasting conflict. Recognizing these pitfalls is the first step toward avoiding them. At Alternative Law Mediation, we’ve seen how these challenges can impact a family. Here are five …
Why do siblings clash in business? Family businesses often mix the past, competition, control, personal history with the future and professional decisions. That’s a recipe for sibling conflict in a family business setting. Sibling conflict can arise when you have different work styles, expectations, or opinions on how the business should run—or who should run it. Common sibling conflicts include: …
Is your business conflict getting worse, not better? Disagreements happen—but if they keep escalating or affect operations, it may be time to get outside help. Knowing when to use mediation can prevent issues from worsening. Waiting too long can make the problem harder (and more expensive) to fix. Top signs you should consider mediation: Why early mediation works better: What’s …
Mediator guiding a business family through a structured discussion
What is mediation in a family business conflict? Mediation is a confidential, guided process that helps family members resolve disputes without going to court. A trained neutral mediator facilitates the conversation, allowing each person to speak openly, be heard, and contribute to crafting a mutually acceptable solution. It’s less about who’s right and more about finding a path forward everyone …