Open Space Mediation Blog

Liz Merrill Divorce Coach?…Please explain. If you are going through or thinking about getting a divorce, you really should think about a divorce coach. Divorce is one most expensive and emotionally draining things you will go through and in many cases, it makes sense...

Liz Merrill DIVORCING A NARCISSIST: WHAT TO EXPECT As a divorce coach and mediator, I am often approached by parties who are experiencing the challenges of being married to a narcissist. They come looking for support and advice, fearful for themselves and their...

Liz Merrill How Coronavirus Has Affected the Divorce Process The Coronavirus pandemic has screwed up EVERYTHING. That includes the already crummy landscape of divorce. A divorce is a lawsuit, and that means that the process is dependent on how well the court system is...

Liz Merrill "The Shadow Pandemic" "Domestic Jane is an introverted woman—she doesn’t like to make a fuss about herself or be in the limelight. She is a mother. A writer. A musician. She was engaged to marry to a man who is a respected businessman. He had given her his...

Liz Merrill Narcissus & Echo: An Ancient Cautionary Tale That Still Rings True “I wonder if the course of narcissism through the ages would have been any different had Narcissus first peered into a cesspool. He probably did.” Frank O'Hara, Early Writing...

Liz Merrill "Ask A Colorado Divorce Mediator: Preparing for Mediation" "Preparing As a Colorado divorce mediator, I am often asked for "preparing for mediation" tips. If you are in conflict with a spouse, business partner, family member, or neighbor, before you reach...

Liz Merrill How is Mediation Different From Litigation? "Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser — in fees, expenses, and waste of time." Abe Lincoln All too often,...

Liz Merrill What to Expect in Mediation Mediation is a resolution process recognized by the courts as an effective and rewarding alternative to litigation. Mediation is different than binding arbitration. Arbitration is allowing a neutral third party, often a judge or...

"Liz Merrill" 5 Tips for Successful Communication in Pandemic Pods

Liz Merrill "Are Pandemic Pods Legal?" "Legal With many schools going online for the 2020-2021 academic year, parents are looking for creative educational alternatives for their children. The “pod” (or pandemic pod, or learning pod, or micro school) is a small group...

Liz Merrill Fort Collins Resources for Managing Conflict at Home Manage Conflict at Home During Covid-19 If stress at home is overwhelming, there are some Fort Collins resources to help families in crisis manage conflict at home during Covid-19. Since Stay at Home and...

Liz Merrill Mediation Techniques for Conflict Resolution Fort Collins Mediator's Recommendation If stay-at-home orders have put a strain on your home life, you are not alone. Tensions at home brought on by enforced proximity combined with financial stress and...

Liz Merrill "What Kinds of Cases Can Be Mediated?"

Liz Merrill "Why Choose Mediation Over Litigation?" It's Effective – More than 75% of mediations result in long-term resolutions with mutual satisfaction and a high rate of compliance. Because both parties are actively involved, they have a higher commitment to...

Liz Merrill People are idiots People are idiots, marriage is dumb, and you’re all going to end up getting divorced eventually If you get married, chances are you probably also going to get divorced. If you get married more than once, those chances go up. If you think...