United States: Court Enforces Hand-Shake Deal In Mediation – Agreements reached during court-appointed mediation are just as binding as court-sanctioned settlements. For example, the parties in a recent patent-infringement suit ostensibly reached a settlement during mediation, only for one party to recant days later. Giving weight to the neutral-mediator’s view that a settlement had in fact been reached, the Court rejected the recanting party’s about-face and sanctioned it for the additional fees and costs its actions forced its opponent to incur in enforcing the original agreement.

Keep a Divorce From Killing Your Finances – Divorce is obviously a huge emotional experience for everyone involved, but it also takes a toll financially — often on both spouses. The immediate financial burden occurs due to the separation of the household: As couples split, they often wind up doubling their housing, utility, and other ongoing costs. Then, of course, there is the division of assets, which can impede both individuals’ progress toward funding long-term goals like retirement or children’s education.

30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Remain Flat; Current Rate is 3.46%, According to Zillow Mortgage Rate Ticker – The 30-year fixed mortgage rate on Zillow® Mortgages is currently 3.46 percent, down one basis point from this time last week. The 30-year fixed mortgage hovered around 3.45 percent throughout the week before rising to the current rate.