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The COVID-19 Crisis: Impact on Mediators Michael Aurit, JD, MDR Co-Founder of The Aurit Center for Divorce THE AURIT CENTER FOR DIVORCE MEDIATION © 2020
The COVID-19 Crisis: Impact on MediatorsMichael Aurit, JD, MDRCo-Founder of The Aurit Center for Divorce
THE AURIT CENTER FOR DIVORCE MEDIATION © 2020
Sharp Decline in Business
THE AURIT CENTER FOR DIVORCE MEDIATION © 2020
Emergency Financial Strategies
• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans• SBA Loans• Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed
• Emergency grant of $10,000 to SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan applicant
• Line of Credit• Check with your state! Each state has
their own programs to help small businesses
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Emergency Financial Strategies
• Delay filing of taxes with extended tax deadline – July 15, 2020
• Cost Cutting / Tightening the Belt• Cutting unnecessary expenses from the office,
such as: eliminating services (cleaning, deliveries of supplies, etc.)
• Natural decline in costs for in-office clients i.e. expenses associated with paper, marketing materials, food, water bottles, coffee service, office supplies, such as: pens, notepads, paper, ink, etc.
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More Clients Scheduling Consults - Less Moving Forward
Possible Reasons: Ways to Work-Around:
Financial Uncertainty or Loss of Job• Provide a discount • Offer financing • Break-up payments
Resistance to Mediating Online• Emphasize convenience• Explain the ease of use• Normalize clients’ reports of success
Lack of Connection or Rapport
• Stay authentic - like FTF• Practice – get comfortable in front a
camera• Appear comfortable - use humor• Boost enthusiasm by 10%
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The Sudden Online Switcheroo
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Working from Home• Determine who will work remotely• Identify equipment / resources needed
• Computers; internet access (phone jack or ethernet requirements?)
• Copy / Scan / Print Capabilities• Credit Card Payment Capabilities• Business Phone Capabilities • Resources used in mediation
meetings, i.e. note forms, diagrams, etc.
• Other resources• How will you manage data and client
documents? • Converting files to digital format• Who retains hard files? • Access to files from home (shared
platform – DropBox, Google Docs, etc. THE AURIT CENTER FOR DIVORCE MEDIATION © 2020
• All Clients Online or Some?• Update Agreement to Mediate
• Electronic Signature (when possible)• Signings by Mail –Notary
Requirements vary by state *See your local rules
• Delivering documents to Court• Payment Process
Develop 911 Procedures
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Team Check-In Meetings
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Team Check-in Meetings• Schedule daily meetings with staff
• Build team trust and morale• Establish daily work• Identify roadblocks or issues• Collaborate as a team to resolve
issues• Check-in Meetings throughout the
day• Monitor progress• Be available to answer questions• Identify setbacks and problem
solve• Ensure consistent Zoom Link
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Staff Communication with Clients
• Notify clients of changes• Inform new clients of procedures• Update email templates• Prepare staff to answer questions• Reassure clients and build confidence in the
process
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Substantive Issues
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Substantive Issue Overview• Impact on PT • Make-up PT• Modification? Temporary? • Child or spousal support –
after job loss• Working from home with
kids• Home Schooling• Parents in high-risk fields • Stimulus check confusion• Rise in DV and child abuse• Social distancing
consistency• 3rd party contact
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Final Thoughts
CREATE OPPORTUNITY
OUT OF DISASTER
PUBLISH. PUBLISH. PUBLISH.
RE-ASSESS YOUR
BUSINESS GOALS
INVEST IN
THE FUTURE
BROADEN MARKETING
EFFORTS
DEEPEN AND EXPAND
SUBSTANTIVE SKILLS
HELP OTHER MEDIATORS AND
YOUR COMMUNITY
THE AURIT CENTER FOR DIVORCE MEDIATION © 2020
ResourcesForbes - List Of Banks Offering Relief To Customers Affected By Coronavirus (COVID-19)
How to Explain Coronavirus to Children – Keep it Simple and Not Scary
Spousal Maintenance & Child Support Emergency Solutions During COVID-19
“Stay-at-Home” Solutions for Divorced Parents
Arizona Court Pushes Co-Parents to Compromise or “Follow Orders”
Online Divorce Mediation in Arizona Continues During Coronavirus
THE AURIT CENTER FOR DIVORCE MEDIATION © 2020
