Explore our mediation services for families, neighbors and communities.
What is mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where a neutral, third-party mediator helps people in conflict communicate and negotiate in the hopes of reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. Unlike a judge or arbitrator, the mediator facilitates discussion but does not make decisions.
Key Aspects of Mediation
Mediators are neutral, third-parties.
Our mediators are trained to be impartial, third parties in conflict. By acting as neutral facilitators our mediators are able to organize open, respectful communication between disputing sides in the hopes of reaching an agreement to resolve their conflict. Mediators do not take sides, make rulings, or impose solutions. Instead, they support participants by working collaboratively toward a mutually acceptable resolution.
Mediation is confidential.
Mediation is a confidential process, allowing participants to speak openly with the understanding that discussions will not be shared outside the mediation session. This confidentiality can encourage honesty and helps build trust between the parties. There are some exceptions to confidentiality which our mediators explain at the start of each session, so all parties understand the boundaries of confidentiality.
Mediation is voluntary.
Mediation is a voluntary process, meaning all parties choose to participate and can decide whether or not to reach an agreement. This voluntary nature empowers individuals to have control over the outcome, rather than having a resolution imposed on them by a judge or third party.
Why Choose Mediation?
1. Faster than court
2. Cost-effective
3. Confidential
4. Restores relationships
Mediation is informal.
Mediation is an informal process, designed to be more relaxed and flexible than a courtroom setting. There are no strict legal procedures or rules of evidence, allowing participants to focus on open communication and problem-solving. This informal atmosphere helps reduce stress and encourages collaboration, making it easier for parties to work toward a resolution.
In mediation, the parties control the outcome.
In mediation, the parties retain full control over the outcome, deciding together if they resolve their dispute and how they do so. Any agreement reached is created and agreed upon by the participants themselves rather than having a solution imposed. This collaborative approach often leads to more personalized, practical solutions that both sides are more likely to follow.
What is the end goal of mediation?
The end goal of mediation is to help the parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement that can resolve their dispute. While not every mediation results in a final agreement, the process often leads to better understanding, improved communication, and progress toward resolution. Even when full agreement isn’t reached, mediation can clarify issues and lay the groundwork for future cooperation or next steps.
Having a neutral facilitator is often the key to resolution, even for very contentious or long-term conflicts. When parties come to their own resolution, the agreements are more apt to be fulfilled.
Our Mediation Services.
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where a neutral, third-party mediator helps people in conflict communicate and negotiate in the hopes of reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. Unlike a judge or arbitrator, the mediator facilitates discussion but does not make decisions
Decisions About Permanent Placement for Youth in Foster Care
Mediation is a voluntary process that allows the involved parties to work with a neutral third-party to come to an agreement on a permanent home in the best interests of the child. Mediation can help parties avoid court hearings that ultimately decide the fate of the child.
Divorce Issues
For couples in the process of divorce, a mediator’s role is to help both spouses identify, and come to a mutually-acceptable agreement on the various issues such as financial matters, parenting time, or division of assets.
Child Custody and Parenting Time
Child custody mediation is a process in which parents work together to develop a plan to parent their child after divorce or separation. Mediation lets the parents decide their own plan versus having a court making the decision.
Disputes About Individual Education Plans (Special Education)
IEP mediation is designed to be a less confrontational process of resolution than court hearings, meant to assist parents and the school district in reaching a compromise on special education plans for students.
General Civil Court Actions (Pre- and Post-Filing)
A neutral third-party facilitator works to
get the parties to compromise and voluntarily reach a settlement. The mediator may work out a partial or full settlement with the parties, or in some cases, no settlement, and in that situation the case would proceed to trial.
Neighborhood Conflicts
Through the mediation process, neighbors get a clearer picture of their interests and the interests of their fellow neighbor to find a solution to their dispute that works for everyone involved.
Estate Planning & Family Decisions About Care of Elderly Parents
Eldercare Mediation is a way to find the best possible answers to quality-of-life questions.
Topics are chosen by the family and may include parental living arrangements, health, personal care, home upkeep and repair, financial concerns, trust, estate issues, guardianship, and power of attorney decisions.
Labor & Employment Disputes
Workplace Mediation allow both parties to speak freely about a conflict in a confidential session. This increased communication can improve workplace relations between employer/employee, or employee/employee, and allow the matter to be resolved without feelings of resentment.
Small Claims Court (Pre- and Post-Filing)
A neutral third-party facilitator works to get the parties to compromise and voluntarily reach a settlement for small monetary disputes. The mediator may work out a partial or full settlement with the parties, or in some cases, no settlement, and in that situation, the case would proceed to trial.
Civil Rights Actions
When dealing with any form of discrimination whether it be race, sexual orientation, religion, gender, workplace harassment, etc., involving a neutral-facilitator allows parties to negotiate an agreement to heal the harm that was done.
Family Discussions About Difficult Decisions
Often times family conversations can be emotional, making decisions more difficult. In mediation, the mediator creates a structure for the conversation so that each person has an opportunity to speak and be heard. Families can follow some of these techniques for their future communication.
Landlord-Tenant Disputes
Landlord-tenant mediation can address issues including handling unpaid rent or property damage payments and arranging timely property repairs. Landlord-tenant mediation can save lengthy court time and provides the opportunity for both parties to solve their issues outside of a courtroom.