Affordable Justice: How to Settle Any Dispute, Including Divorce, Out of Court [Hardcover]

Elizabeth L. Allen (Author), Donald D. Mohr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997

Written in response to the failure of the legal system to meet people's needs for affordable justice, this step-by-step guide provides information on how to settle disputes out of court. Designed for individuals as well as businesses of all sizes, this book contains practical information and advice for anyone who wants to avoid the nightmare of a legal battle. It gives readers the tools to negotiate a fair settlement and avoid the high cost of court justice. This practical guide discusses how to settle disputes using mediation and/or arbitration and resolve divorce battles in ways that minimize conflict.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This work makes a strong case for mediation in divorce, civil, and business disputes, emphasizing four benefits of the process: saving money, saving time, retaining control, and maintaining critical relationships. Allen and Mohr, partners in the mediation training firm Coast to Coast Mediation, sprinkle their easy-to-read text with cartoons and quotations generally selected from individuals who have experienced mediation or its grisly alternative. The book includes a national directory of representative mediators and regional and national mediation organizations. One drawback is its somewhat disorienting layout, with each section beginning on a left-hand page. Those who wish may read from back to front, though the material is not organized that way. For general readers.?Julie Denny, Alliance for Mediation & Conflict Resolution, Inc., Amenia, N.Y.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Affordable Justice is an excellent how-to book about settling any dispute (including divorce) out of court." -- Reviewer's Bookwatch, July, 1998

"As a practical psychologist, I am always looking to provide my clients with the one best book to read on a given subject. Affordable Justice is the best in its class for motivating and educating clients as to the advantages of mediation versus litigation. It is an empowering book." -- Ken Serkownek, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, August, 1998

"Every consumer can benefit by reading Affordable Justice. It outlines (in plain English, not legal jargon) cost-effective methods of resolving disputes with justice, dignity, and speed. Our legal system provides financial incentives for some to continue disputes as long as possible. Affordable Justice protects the consumer's best interests by resolving disputes quickly and economically, and creates a win-win situation for all parties involved." -- C.A.L.A. -Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse- Sarah Cheaure, Director, March 1997

"Every consumer can benefit by reading Affordable Justice. It outlines cost-effective methods of resolving disputes with justice, dignity and speed." -- Director, Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse

"I am impressed with the excellent content and the delightful format you have created for delivering it--most refreshing and agreeable. It teaches in such a natural, non-linear manner. Congratulations on a fine piece of work." -- Gerald R. Williams, Professor of Law, Brigham Young University, April 1997

"Mediation is a good way to resolve problems, save the cost of a lawyer, and reach a fair settlement. This book is the most readable, informative, and comprehensive one I have seen on the subject--and I have seen quite a few. Not all mediators are the same, and there are many ways to proceed in mediation. This book wisely covers them all, so you will know how it can work going in and be able to handle your own mediation more effectively." -- HALT-An Organization of Americans for Legal Reform, Bill Fry, Executive Director, March, 1997

"This clear, concise book ties together principles I have learned in a number of trainings. By interspersing pertinent quotations, tables, and cartoons with a bullet format, the authors have produced a reference that is as enjoyable to read as it is instructive." -- John A. Toker, attorney, mediator, arbitrator

"This is a great book! It's concise. It's readable. It's funny. It's a joy to read." -- William van Zyverden, Attorney

What a beautiful book! It's fun, practical, and easy to understand. I want all of my clients to read it!" -- Anne M. Berlin, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, December, 1996 --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 206 pages
• Publisher: West Coast Pr (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965587673
• ISBN-13: 978-0965587679
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,495,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Settle out of Court with Mediation, August 23, 2000

By 

Josephine (Tulsa, OK United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Affordable Justice: How to Settle Any Dispute, Including Divorce, Out of Court (Hardcover)

This book is about mediation--and mediation can be any number or combination of different strategies to come to an agreement you and the other person can live with. The purpose of mediation is to save money, time and aggravation while giving you the best possible outcome in your dispute/divorce. When you take someone to court, you just don't know how it will turn out; you may think your case is iron-clad, only to find out the judge just thinks differently! Going to court can just leave too much to chance.

This book gives the reasons why to use mediation, the different forms mediation can take, how to initiate mediation, how to prepare for mediation and protect your rights throughout the process.

The book also includes information on when mediation doesn't work or wouldn't be a good idea--which is just as important as knowing the benefits.

If what you want is "your day in court," meaning a chance to explain and be heard, then you'll understand why mediation will be more satisfying than merely handing your case over to an attorney.

This book lacks an index, however, a sure shortcoming in any work of non-fiction.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More of a collection of aphorisms, March 25, 2006

By 

Jeffrey Leeper "kem2070" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Affordable Justice: How to Settle Any Dispute, Including Divorce, Out of Court (Hardcover)

In studying on mediation, I thought this book would be helpful in developing a foundation or learning more about mediation. My first reaction is that this is not really a book in the traditional sense, but rather a collection of bullet points and quotations about mediation.

The book is divided into "chapters" that break down different aspects of mediation in different situations, such as divorce settlements and property disputes. My first thought was to be dismissive with the bullet points, but they do bring up simple things that you will want to think about, such as whether you should have a lawyer and (in terms of the divorce settlement) using mediation to mitigate any stress on children.

The bullet points were accurate and helpful, but I would like to have had more of an explanation of some points as to why one way is better than the other. There is also not as much on the mechanics of mediation.

In the back of the book are a list of mediators with contact information, divided by state. This would be a handy reference for anyone wanting to give mediation a try.

Although mediation is a more cost effective and relationship-saving device than the courts, at times, the authors seems to attack unnecessarily lawyers and the court system. It doesn't seem to be necessary and undercuts the tenor of the book, which is finding a better solution.

I would recommend this as a quick reference and as a good starting point to help determine whether mediation may be better than going to the courts.