Author Archives: abfifer

Mediating Probate Cases: Make Sure Everyone Is Notified

April 30, 2020 – 9:19 am

The Court of Appeals has invalidated a portion of a mediated settlement agreement as to a party who was not present at the mediation due to lack of notice. In this probate case, In re Meddie Allen Brown (unpublished per curiam opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued April 9, 2020, Docket No. 342485), the […]

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Ministers Sue Their Denomination

April 23, 2020 – 9:06 am

A denomination’s attempt to discipline two of its ministers has spawned years of litigation. Both ministers occupied positions in the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA)’s national hierarchy. Reverend Roger Dermody was deputy executive director of missions, and supervised Rev. Eric Hoey was director of evangelism and church growth. Rev. Hoey and some of his colleagues formed […]

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Christian Students Sue Their Christian College

April 17, 2020 – 2:26 pm

A lawsuit involving Christians on both sides was filed in Federal Court this week. Several students of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, are suing their college for return of fees paid for services not received. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the college moved its courses online and reduced its campus services and activities […]

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Church Re-unites 24 Years After Split

March 30, 2020 – 12:16 pm

Church splits are common news. But congregations re-uniting after a full split? That’s a God story. In 1993, First Baptist Church of Ellisville, near St. Louis, Missouri, divided in two: 400 members left to start a new church, and 400 stayed behind. The new church, West County Community Church, built a building five miles down […]

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Conflict With Your Ex Over Parenting? There’s an App for That

March 25, 2020 – 2:09 pm

The “stay home” orders around the world are forcing us to minimize personal meetings and maximize technology. One example: mediators and family judges often met with divorced or separated parents to help them resolve issues regarding their children, like child support, parenting time, and education. Those in-person meetings are no longer available, at a time […]

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