The Law Office offers mediation both in the specific areas of its legal practice and in other areas as well. Mediation is a process that brings people together who have a dispute so that the issues can be clarified, understood, and - hopefully - resolved. The process of mediation involves a party who is not involved in the dispute who is called a mediator. The role of the mediator is to assist the parties in reaching a mutually satisfactory resolution of the dispute. Many mediators refer to themselves as conflict resolution specialists.
Mediation is a form of dispute resolution that is an alternative to taking someone to court to have a judge decide the matter. Mediation has a number of advantages over going to court, for example:
• Mediation is a win-win. The objective is to arrive at a resolution that works for all the disputing parties. In court, the judge will usually decide who wins and who loses, and there is always a chance the judge will decide against you.
• In mediation, the parties are in control of the process. Often, the parties will have their lawyers participate in the mediation, but it is the parties -- not the lawyer or the judge -- who are in charge.
• Mediation is less expensive that taking someone to court. And, if it is successful, it can completely avoid the costly prospect of a trial.
What disputes are ones that are the best to mediate? Actually, any dispute can be mediated. That said, mediation is especially useful where the parties have an ongoing relationship with one another that will not be over once the dispute is settled. Family disputes over estates or probate are good candidates for mediation. Family disputes over end of life decisions are also good candidates. Divorcing spouses, especially where children are involved, find mediation far preferable to litigation. Unmarried partners may find mediation the best tool for resolving issues that arise if they decide to terminate their relationships. Neighbors, who have disputes with one another, can use mediation to bring about a better and more lasting resolution. These are just a few circumstances where mediation can be an appropriate tool for resolving a dispute.
Mediation is a form of dispute resolution that is an alternative to taking someone to court to have a judge decide the matter. Mediation has a number of advantages over going to court, for example:
• Mediation is a win-win. The objective is to arrive at a resolution that works for all the disputing parties. In court, the judge will usually decide who wins and who loses, and there is always a chance the judge will decide against you.
• In mediation, the parties are in control of the process. Often, the parties will have their lawyers participate in the mediation, but it is the parties -- not the lawyer or the judge -- who are in charge.
• Mediation is less expensive that taking someone to court. And, if it is successful, it can completely avoid the costly prospect of a trial.
What disputes are ones that are the best to mediate? Actually, any dispute can be mediated. That said, mediation is especially useful where the parties have an ongoing relationship with one another that will not be over once the dispute is settled. Family disputes over estates or probate are good candidates for mediation. Family disputes over end of life decisions are also good candidates. Divorcing spouses, especially where children are involved, find mediation far preferable to litigation. Unmarried partners may find mediation the best tool for resolving issues that arise if they decide to terminate their relationships. Neighbors, who have disputes with one another, can use mediation to bring about a better and more lasting resolution. These are just a few circumstances where mediation can be an appropriate tool for resolving a dispute.