Why mediation?

going to court can be costly and time consuming.

“Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

the cost of litigation

The cost of litigation can be extreme and even overwhelming. Imagine both sides of a dispute hiring attorneys at $200 or $300 an hour, sometimes more. Now add the cost of filing fees in civil matters, travel to the courthouse, parking, and time away from work.

Having a judge decide your matter can lead to a loss of control over decision making. A judge will base his/her decision on the law and what they believe is the fair solution. Their decisions are not necessarily what is truly needed by the parties and some interests may remain unresolved.

Relationships can be further and more permanently damaged. In court proceedings there are few opportunities for the parties to learn to communicate and truly understand each others interest.

“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” ~ Albert Einstein

lost time

Court cases can take a long time to be resolved. Depending on where you live it could take months to get your case heard by a judge. Once you have your initial appearance you may have to return several more times. These appearances could include a hearing or even a trial. In the meantime your matter goes unresolved. Costs are adding up and frustration builds. Mediation may save you time and money but more importantly it helps the parties identify issues and explore options for a mutually acceptable outcome. The mediator does not decide the matters but helps the parties to resolve the dispute themselves. Mediation seeks to ensure that the parties arrive at a voluntary, uncoerced decision in which each party makes free and informed choices.