Mediation

Mediation is one type of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Save Time & Money
A dispute often can be settled or decided much sooner with Mediation – often in a matter of months, even weeks.  While the traditional litigation and trial can take over a year.  Mediation saves time and reduces attorney fees, court costs, experts’ fees, and other litigation expenses.

Increased Control Over the Process and the Outcome
In Mediation, parties typically play a greater role in shaping both the process and its outcome.  Parties are allowed to fashion creative resolutions that are not available in a trial. Other ADR processes, such as arbitration, allow the parties to choose an expert in a particular field to decide the dispute.

Preserve Relationships
Mediation is often less adversarial and hostile than litigation and trial. An experienced mediator, for example, could help the parties effectively communicate their needs and point of view to the other side. This can be an important advantage when the parties have a relationship to preserve, especially for the sake of their children.

Increased Satisfaction
In a trial, there is typically a winner and a loser.  Even the winner, however, may not be completely satisfied with the outcome, not to mention the time and the costs involved.  Mediation can help the parties find win-win solutions and achieve their real goals, increasing the parties’ overall satisfaction of the outcome.

Improve Attorney-Client Relationships
Attorneys may also benefit from ADR by being seen as problem-solvers rather than combatants. Quick, cost-effective, and satisfying resolutions are likely to produce happier clients.

Other Types of ADR Options

• arbitration
• collaborative law divorce
• settlement conferences
• neutral evaluation
• family court services