Just about any civil dispute can be solved through mediation. The most common types are:
Not necessarily. Some problems can be resolved without going to court at all.
But, you should contact an attorney if you are concerned about the legal issues of your problem, any statute of limitations (time allowed for your claim to stay valid ), if the other party already has an attorney, or if the other party is threatening to take away your property, etc. When you talk to an attorney about the problem, tell the attorney that you wish to go to mediation. The attorney will then advise you what action to take.
Not necessarily. Many disputes can be resolved just by having the two parties sit down together and talk about the problem. However, it is ALWAYS preferable to contact an attorney if you have any kind of legal dispute. Only an attorney can advise you of your legal rights. A mediator is not your attorney and cannot tell you whether or not you have a legal claim.
Call our office for a free telephone consultation or complete the Online Consultation form (link to the left). The mediators can tell you whether or not your problem is right for mediation.
The mediator can contact the other party on your behalf to see if they are open to mediation but they cannot force the other party to mediate or convince them to settle.
If the other party has already agreed to mediate, then the mediator will work with you to schedule the session when it is most convenient. The mediator will send you information outlining the process, the rules that apply and what to expect.
There will also be an Agreement to Mediate which must be signed by both parties before the mediation can begin. The mediator will go over this agreement with you to make sure that you understand every part of it and how it applies to you. The agreement will cover the confidentiality, the parties' responsibility and the responsibility of the mediator.
You will also be required to pay the costs of the mediation at the end of your session. The mediator can tell you how much they charge per hour and can estimate how long the session "may" last. No one can tell you exactly how long the mediation will take, but remember, the parties are in control of the process and a solution is possible.
Contact our office with any questions that you may have. We are here to help you and look forward to talking with you.