Mediation is a form of dispute resolution where you and those with whom you are in dispute voluntarily come together with a mediator who facilitates the resolution of your conflict.

Mediation is a facilitative process that allows you to manage your differences and move toward a place of agreement.

• Providing a safe environment where open, honest and respectful communication will be heard.
• Prompting you to identify and clarify the issues of importance to you.
• Facilitating your communication around those issues.
• Writing an agreement that you crafted together as a result of this process.

We do not allow abusive, threatening or belittling language while we facilitate this process.

Mediation helps you understand each other’s interests so that the optimum resolution for all parties can be attained.

Mediation fosters:

• Responsible, compassionate communication and problem solving.
• A dignified and amicable approach.
• Empowerment through approaching conflict collaboratively.
• Co-created solutions rather than a court order.

Mediation allows for flexibility.

• The final agreements you make to fit your particular situation can be far more creative than what a judge would order.
• You’re in control of the pace; if it’s not working for you, you can stop the process and resume when you feel ready.

Mediation saves you money.

At Mediation Associates, LLC, we can meet with you right away to determine the services you may need and estimate the time and cost.

Benefits to you:

• Mediation is far less costly than litigation.
• You can share the fee with each other.
• Working together avoids the unnecessary duplication of expenses for necessary ancillary professional services such as business evaluations, appraisals, defined benefit retirement evaluation, etc.

Hiring an attorney typically entails your paying an upfront retainer or fee to secure their services. As the litigation continues, the costs can, and typically do, increase depending on the particular situation.

Mediation saves you time.

By voluntarily choosing mediation, you and your former partner will be in direct communication with each other as the mediator facilitates that process.

• You set the pace
• You decide if you want to continue with mediation or not
• You decide what’s fair
• Miscommunication is greatly reduced
• You eliminate delays commonly created with indirect communication through divorces controlled by attorneys.

In mediation you won’t have to communicate through an attorney or someone else to get your message across. The mediator helps you identify and communicate your needs directly to your former partner. Using direct communication makes for a much quicker resolution saving you time and getting you to a place where you can move forward with the rest of your life.

What actually happens in mediation?

1. You contact Mediation Associates to inquire about mediation.
2. Your questions will be answered and we will help you decide if mediation will work for you.
3. You each will meet with a mediator so that we may learn each perspective of the situation.
4. You’ll schedule a joint meeting with the mediator where each of you will identify issues of concern that need resolution.
5. Once issues are identified, we’ll help the you explore options to address your particular situation.
6. You’ll choose which options work for each of you.
7. We’ll prepare a written agreement based upon what you’ve agreed to during the mediation process.
8. You can take the agreement to your attorney and have them complete your legal forms, or you can complete the pro se (do-it-yourself) forms yourself.

At any time in the process of mediation, you can meet with your attorney to review your options or the agreement you’ve come to.