Mediation is a form of conflict dispute resolution that allows for creative problem solving in a private setting.

Often times, parties in a dispute have trouble getting to a solution due to difficulty in communication.

Sometimes there is a lack of trust or a feeling of vulnerability when dealing with the other party.

Mediation and conflict dispute resolution can help ease some of those concerns and allow the parties to talk freely to a neutral third party.

Practically anyone!

Mediation is useful under almost any situation in which there is a dispute or a differing opinion. While most people’s experience with mediation is during a pending lawsuit, mediation can be used prior to a lawsuit has even been filed. In fact, one can use mediation to help in negotiating a business deal, in sorting out a landlord-tenant dispute, in settling a small claims matter, or even in settling a dispute with schools or even between family members! Wherever there is a conflict, mediation may help!

Generally speaking, mediation is overall cheaper in cost than going through litigation with an attorney.

In addition, in mediation, the parties are given the power to decide the outcome of their disputes. Unlike going to court, in which a judge or a jury panel decides for you how the dispute should be resolved, when you use mediation, you have a say in each and every part of your settled outcome. This is because, in mediation, no one can force you to settle on terms against your will.

Further, mediation tends to take less time to reach a solution than going through traditional litigation, in which there may be days or even months spent on preparing and working on the litigation. Courts are flooded with hundreds and thousands of cases, and getting a final outcome may take months or even years! While with mediation, one can often get a date much faster with hopes of walking out of the mediation with part or the entire conflict resolved!

Mediation also allows you to spend as much time as you need to reach a resolution. Unlike going to court, in which you may be limited to only hours to present your side of the story, mediation can go as long as the parties wish.

Here at Meaningful Solutions LLC, you have options!

Want to stay in the comfort of your own home, or at a location convenient to you? Meaningful Solutions LLC offers virtual mediation through Zoom. All you need its your phone or a computer, and reliable internet connection!

Not comfortable with technology? Your mediator can go to you! *Your mediator can travel to a location close to you with suitable space or provide a suitable meeting place to hold the mediation.

Don’t have time during the day or during the work week? *You also have the option of evening or Saturday mediation sessions!

*Restrictions and additional fees may apply.

Generally speaking, if you tell your mediator not to divulge information to the other side during mediation, your request will be honored. In addition, the mediator cannot be compelled to divulge records or testify in regard to the mediation in a court hearing.*

*Exceptions may apply depending on your situation. Please consult with an experienced attorney if you have concerns. This should not constitute or taken as legal advice.

There are many different ways in which mediation can be conducted. Typically speaking, the parties involved will each get an opportunity to provide information to the mediator, who in turns will try to help the parties find a suitable and mutually agreeable solution to resolve their disputes. Often times, parties feel more comfortable speaking to the mediator privately, so the parties may be separated into different rooms with the mediator as a go-between. If deemed as beneficial, the mediator may also bring all the parties into the same room to discuss a particular issue.

At the end, if any agreements are reached, the mediator typically helps the party write up the terms of the agreement for the parties to sign. This written agreement is often called the “mediated settlement agreement.”

Unfortunately, no. Your mediator must remain a neutral third party and cannot offer you any legal advice even if the mediator knows the law.

That’s entirely up to you! Some folks simply do not want to spend any additional cost in resolving their issues and may choose to attend mediation on their own, while others may feel more comfortable having an attorney with them just in case. It is not a requirement that you attend mediation with an attorney, though you may want to hire one if you feel the need.

That really depends on your particular situation. Some matters may take only a couple of hours to resolve, while others may take multiple full-day sessions. In the end, the length of the mediation may depend on a variety of factors such as complexity of the matter, number of parties involved, etc. The good news is that you have the power to terminate the mediation at any time during the process!

If you have an attorney, your attorney should be able to advise you as to how much time to reserve for your particular situation. Otherwise, simply contact the office and a staff member will be able to assist you!

Generally, just your lovely self! However, in order to help your mediator understand your situation and better do the job, it may be helpful to bring documents and other evidence that you may feel is important to present to your mediator. Often times, if attorneys are involved, your mediator may request that your attorney prepare a brief memorandum and provide some basic documents prior to the mediation. The information provided to your mediator is confidential and will not be shared with the other parties without your permission.

In order to preserve and protect the privacy of the mediation process, only parties to the case and their respective attorneys (if any) should be involved in mediation. However, it is not unusual to feel nervous about attending mediation alone. But remember, no one can force you to enter into an agreement during mediation. If you truly feel uncomfortable, you always have the power to walk away.

Simple! Just click here to fill out the form, and someone will get back to you as soon as possible to set up your mediation!