Life Without Family Court Judge Stephen Aldrich, ret. practiced law for 25 years, then was a judge for 16 years in civil and family court. He is recognized for his creative approach to resolving family disputes on the bench, including cases where Michelle MacDonald appeared as a lawyer for clients. Judge Aldrich mediates with Gilbert Mediation Center, and makes binding decisions for participants of the Family Innocence. While on the bench, he helped a couple settle a 15 year old spousal maintenance dispute using “baseball “arbitration. Prior to the agreement to arbitrate, the parties had suffered through 12 motions before 5 judges. Judge Aldrich has been married for nearly 50 years, a father and a grandfather. SCAldrich@lawGilbert.com.