LOOKING FOR HELP RESOLVING A DISPUTE?

Mediation is a way for people to talk it out rather than fight it out -- a way for people to reconcile conflicting interests through problem solving negotiations rather than through time-consuming and costly power contests.

With the help of trained, impartial mediators, people work out their problems and arrive at mutually acceptable agreements.

Mediators bring disputing parties together to help them have an open discussion of their problems. The mediators help the parties identify what they really want from each other. The parties learn how to better understand each other, the dispute, and reality-based options. The mediators help the parties develop their own agreement for resolution of the conflict.

Many disputes are more appropriately resolved through an informal and private process of talking it out, rather than through the legal system or other ways of fighting it out. Through mediation, the parties involved in the conflict can control the decisions that affect them; they do not have this control in the court or on the streets.

What mediation is:

• problem solving negotiations.
• reconciling conflicting interests
• talking it out, NOT fighting it out
• NO power contests

How does mediation work?

• mediators help parties discuss problems
• parties identify real needs
• parties understand each other and real options
• parties develop their own agreement

Why mediate?

• informal and private
• parties can control decisions

What benefits?

• empowers people
• confidential
• simple and straightforward
• less costly than litigation
• less time-consuming than litigation
• no confusing technicalities, forms or processes

Who are the mediators?

• impartial volunteers*, trained and neutral
• people like you
• people committed to the community
• the Center's Divorce Program uses only paid attorneys/mediators

What does it cost:

A nonrefundable case-development fee, ranging from $35 to $ 100, is charged to the party requesting mediation. Additional service fees are added for specific types of disputes (divorce or mediations required by contract or statute). Fees are normally the responsibility of the party requesting services, and are payable before mediation. The case developer will inform you in advance if any service fees apply to your case.

NO ONE IS REFUSED MEDIATION BECAUSE OF AN INABILITY TO PAY.