Mediation and Settlement of Involuntary Termination Cases

1 hour TN Dual CLE and 1 hour of TN CME

Some people believe that a termination of parental rights case cannot be mediated or settled because the outcomes are binary. Both sides want precisely the same thing: the child. But in reality, that is often not the case, and many termination cases do settle before trial. Some tools and techniques for mediation or settlement are specific to this type of case, like post adoption contact agreements or grandparent visitation. The balance of power, too, is easy to misjudge using the usual touchstones of litigation power. Expect deep thinking about difficult human problems and lots of pickles to throw at the wall.