POWERHOUSE MEDIATION

Michael
Black

Family Law Mediator Moderated Settlement Conference Neutral

Family disputes require more than legal knowledge—they require patience, experience, and the ability to help people move through difficult conversations. Michael Black provides thoughtful family mediation and Moderated Settlement Conferences designed to help families reach practical, lasting resolutions while reducing conflict whenever possible. His practical approach encourages productive communication, creative problem-solving, and durable agreements that allow families to move forward with confidence.

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Family Law Mediation
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Moderated Settlement Conferences
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Minnesota Qualified Neutral
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Michael Black
ABOUT MICHAEL BLACK

Decades of Family Law Experience.
A Practical Approach to Resolution.

Michael Black

Michael Black has spent more than four decades helping individuals and families navigate some of life's most significant legal and personal transitions. Throughout his career as a family law attorney, he has represented clients facing divorce, parenting disputes, property division, spousal maintenance, business ownership issues, executive compensation matters, valuation questions, and many of the complex financial and emotional decisions that accompany family change. His decades of experience provide him with a practical understanding of both the legal issues before the parties and the human realities that often influence successful resolution.

Successful family mediation begins with careful preparation, respectful communication, and practical solutions that families can confidently live with long after the mediation ends.

Today, Michael devotes his practice exclusively to family law mediation and Moderated Settlement Conferences. He brings the perspective of an experienced family law advocate to every matter while remaining firmly committed to his role as a neutral. Attorneys appreciate his preparation, professionalism, and ability to guide productive discussions even when emotions are high or the issues are particularly complex. His calm, organized approach encourages realistic evaluation, thoughtful negotiation, and agreements that work not only during mediation, but long after the case has concluded.

As a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral with PowerHouse Mediation, Michael serves attorneys and self-represented parties throughout Minnesota. His practice includes high-asset divorce, parenting disputes, executive compensation issues, closely-held business interests, complex property division, post-decree matters, and other challenging family law cases. Every mediation is approached with patience, preparation, professionalism, and the belief that informed decisions made by the parties themselves often produce the most durable and meaningful outcomes.

40+
YEARS
Family Law Experience
Rule 114
QUALIFIED
Neutral
Statewide
SERVING
Minnesota Families
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FAMILY LAW MATTERS

Experienced in Complex
Family Law Disputes

Michael Black's practice is devoted exclusively to family law mediation and Moderated Settlement Conferences. He works with attorneys and families to resolve financial, parenting, support, and property disputes through a thoughtful, respectful process designed to encourage practical and lasting agreements.

High-Asset Divorce

Business ownership • Executive compensation • Investments • Retirement assets • Complex property division

Property Division

Marital and non-marital claims • Real estate • Valuation issues • Debt allocation • Asset distribution

Spousal Maintenance

Temporary support • Long-term maintenance • Income analysis • Financial settlements

Custody & Parenting Time

Legal custody • Physical custody • Parenting schedules • Parenting plans • Child-focused solutions

Complex Financial Issues

Closely-held businesses • Professional practices • Stock options • Retirement accounts • Executive compensation

Moderated Settlement Conferences

Court-appointed settlement conferences • Attorney-represented family law matters • Efficient resolution

Is Your Family Law Matter a Good Fit?

Michael focuses exclusively on family law mediation and Moderated Settlement Conferences. Whether your case involves a high-asset divorce, complex financial issues, parenting matters, or other family law disputes, PowerHouse Mediation welcomes the opportunity to discuss whether Michael is the right neutral for your matter.

THE POWERHOUSE APPROACH

Helping Families Move Forward.

Preparation

Every successful mediation begins with thoughtful preparation and a clear understanding of the issues before productive negotiations begin.

Respect

Every participant deserves to be heard. Respectful communication creates opportunities for meaningful dialogue and lasting agreements.

Resolution

Durable agreements are built through informed decisions that help families move forward with confidence long after mediation concludes.

WHY LAWYERS CHOOSE MICHAEL

Experience Matters.
Trust Matters Even More.

Family law disputes involve far more than legal issues. They often include ongoing relationships, children, financial uncertainty, and highly emotional decisions. Michael provides a calm, respectful process that helps parties communicate more effectively, explore practical solutions, and work toward durable agreements that serve the long-term interests of everyone involved.

01

A Calm, Respectful Process

Michael creates an environment where difficult conversations can occur productively. His steady approach encourages respectful communication, reduces unnecessary conflict, and allows parties to focus on resolving issues rather than escalating disagreements.

02

Focus on Families

Every family has unique circumstances. Michael works with parties to develop practical solutions tailored to their individual needs while keeping the long-term well-being of parents and children at the center of the discussion.

03

Experienced Facilitation

Productive mediation requires more than simply bringing people together. Michael guides discussions thoughtfully, asks meaningful questions, and helps parties identify common ground even when emotions are running high.

04

Practical Problem Solving

Whether addressing parenting schedules, financial issues, or property division, Michael encourages realistic solutions that work not only on paper but also in everyday life after the case concludes.

05

Effective Moderated Settlement Conferences

As a Moderated Settlement Conference neutral, Michael helps attorneys and parties evaluate settlement options, improve communication, and work efficiently toward negotiated resolutions while maintaining focus on the issues that matter most.

06

Agreements Built to Last

The objective is more than reaching an agreement today. Michael strives to help parties develop thoughtful, workable resolutions that provide greater certainty, reduce future conflict, and allow families to move forward with confidence.

MEDIATION SERVICES

Family Law Resolution
Services

Michael Black provides mediation and alternative dispute resolution services designed to help families resolve conflict efficiently, respectfully, and with lasting results. Whether parties are beginning the divorce process, preparing for trial, or addressing post-decree issues, Michael offers flexible services tailored to the needs of each family and their attorneys.

Mediation & Resolution Services

Family Law Mediation
PRIVATE & ATTORNEY-REFERRED MEDIATION
Moderated Settlement Conferences
COURT-APPOINTED & PRIVATE MSCS
Attorney-Assisted Mediation
COLLABORATIVE RESOLUTION PROCESS

Family Law Matters

Divorce Mediation
PROPERTY • SUPPORT • FINANCIAL ISSUES
Parenting Matters
CUSTODY • PARENTING TIME • DECISION MAKING
Post-Decree Matters
MODIFICATIONS • ENFORCEMENT • DISPUTES

Working with Attorneys

Flexible Scheduling
IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL SESSIONS
Thorough Preparation
REVIEW OF SUBMISSIONS & CASE MATERIALS
Efficient Resolution
FOCUSED NEGOTIATIONS & DURABLE AGREEMENTS
Every family law matter presents unique challenges. Michael works closely with attorneys and parties to create a mediation process that is organized, respectful, and focused on practical solutions that allow families to move forward with confidence.
A CAREER DEDICATED TO FAMILIES

Helping Families Navigate
Life's Most Difficult Transitions.

"Successful family mediation isn't simply about resolving legal issues. It's about helping people make thoughtful decisions that allow families to move forward with confidence." — Michael Black

Throughout his legal career, Michael Black has worked with individuals and families facing some of life's most significant and emotional transitions. Divorce, custody, parenting time, financial decisions, and other family law matters often involve more than legal questions. They require patience, careful listening, practical guidance, and a process that allows people to move from conflict toward resolution.

As both a family law attorney and Rule 114 Qualified Neutral, Michael brings a unique perspective to mediation and Moderated Settlement Conferences. He understands the legal issues that bring parties to the table while recognizing that successful outcomes often depend upon communication, trust, and a willingness to explore practical solutions that work for everyone involved.

Every family is different, and every case deserves thoughtful attention. Michael approaches each matter with professionalism, respect, and the belief that mediation gives families the opportunity to make informed decisions together rather than having decisions imposed upon them. His goal is to help parties reach agreements that are realistic, durable, and focused on the future.

LET'S START THE CONVERSATION

Helping Families.
Supporting Attorneys.
Resolving Disputes.

Whether you're preparing for family mediation or a Moderated Settlement Conference, Michael welcomes the opportunity to discuss your matter. Working closely with attorneys and their clients, he provides a respectful, thoughtful process designed to resolve even complex family law disputes with practical, lasting solutions.

Schedule With Michael