I don't recommend them for a divorce mediation. The paper work for the divorce decree didn't include the VIN number of the vehicle I drive which wasn't registered in my name. Now I am out of state with a vehicle which was not in my name and no cooperation with my former spouse. I can't sell the vehicle, trade it in, or register the vehicle without my former spouse signing more paperwork which I sent him, and that is hard to get. Additionally one session had to be cancelled on short notice due to Solveig being ill. I left the office early to attend the meeting. I knew when the meeting was to start. I arrived at the house and opened the zoom meeting. I then find out I was emailed that the meeting had been cancelled that day. I am at work, not looking at my personal emails. Illness is understandable and the cancellation wasn't the issue; it was how it was done. When a doctor or dentist cancels an appointment the same day they call. Divorce mediation is quite serious. They had my cellphone number; they could have called and left a message, but no call was made. You hire them believing they know what they are doing. I do not have any confidence that they do. I wouldn't use them. Work harder on your marriage because I don't believe this experience is helpful at all. It makes me wonder what they know how to do. They are just happy to take your money. They don't care about the long-term repurcussions. If you have to get divorced, an attorney is a better choice. read more

This was the most unprofessional business my husband and I have ever dealt with. I agree with Shawn B that Stephen sure likes to talk about himself while on the clock. If I heard one more story about his past or how his father did surveying in Big Lake I was going to lose it. My husband actually had to tell him that we were there to discuss us and we needed to move forward. 30 minutes into the session my stepson's mother and I got into a disagreement and the step parents were told to leave the room. They put us in separate rooms and then never came back in for 1 hour 45 minutes to tell us what was going on. About 30 minutes after sitting in the room I went and asked the receptionist what was going on and she was extremely rude and said, "If he wants you to come back in he will tell you." After the 1 hour and 45 minutes my husband and his ex wife came out and when I told my husband I had been in limbo for that whole time he couldn't believe it. We all then came back into the room where I gave Mr. Erickson a piece of my mind and told him how unprofessional that was that you don't just put someone in a room for almost 2 hours and not tell them what's going on. Our 2 hour session went to 3 pointless hours which we had to pay 1/2 for and much of that was listening to his stupid stories that had no bearing on our situation. My husband's ex-wife ADMITTED to not using the majority of the child support money on their son (of which she only has 1/2 time) and would not even commit to putting $10/month out of $550/month away for his college. She did not even come prepared with the budget documents that Erickson Mediation had requested and what was Stephen's reaction? He said unfortunately the law does not prohibit her from using the money for herself and then suggested that we come back for another session in a couple of months. Are you kidding me? If you are looking for a good, competent mediator, then do NOT use Erickson Mediation. He will not even point out obvious bad behaviors in parenting, even when the parent admits to it. I understand that a mediator should stay neutral, but there are some very common sense issues that should be addressed; especially when a judge would look at the same evidence and make a ruling based upon it. The session with Erickson actually made the situation worse as now my stepson's selfish mother has been told by Mr. Erickson that she has free reign to spend my stepson's money on herself without any consequences. read more

I definitely DO NOT recommend them!! We used them for our divorce - we saw the old man, he was the perfect mediator for my narcissistic ex-husband!! There are others that are better. But don't waste your time and money on Erickson Mediation in Bloomington or Merlyn Meinerts in the south suburbs. HUGE waste of your money. They both will NOT be fair. Be sure to get a lawyer to take along to your mediation - or at the VERY least consult with one before the mediation and before you sign off on any of the mediation agreements and go to court. Take care of yourself, no one else will. Best of luck! read more

We met with Steve to get some clarification around our next steps. We were feeling curious and scared when we arrived. Steve was a great teacher, a practical counselor and an advocate for families and smart communication. A great experience. We left with more resources and confidence. read more

When I see Steven's photo I think of Bad Santa. He could not remember my name, my ex wife's husband's name or my son's name. If it wasn't for his lackey "Christian" Stephen's documentation would have had my' ex's husband as me. Expensive, slow, (really like to talk about himself) and directionless. Did I mention expensive?. read more

I have to compliment Steve and the years of experience he obviously brought to the table. Steve was calm and firm at all times, making clear the issues that I was unable to comprehend for months and thereby validating me. I had to take a step out on faith that the mediator would be sensitive to the issues of a controlling angry spouse. My fears were put to rest and I highly recommend using this service. read more