Mediation Process
Many clients choose to use mediation to resolve a dispute. This Alternative-Dispute Resolution (ADR) process is a beneficial way to handle client issues. Mediations can occur before litigation, or as a part of a litigation process.
This dispute resolution process is a way to come to a mutual agreement through the use of a mediator. Divorcing couples, family members, small, large, and complex civil claims can be solved through the use of mediation. Clients often choose mediation to help settle issues and find solutions for the future.
Who Is Involved?
The dispute resolution process involves at least two opposing parties that have a dispute. A highly trained mediator acts as the neutral person and helps facilitate discussion without giving solutions or answers. Attorneys are sometimes also present but it depends on the situation and choice of the parties.
Benefits
Clients who choose this dispute resolution option do so for the following benefits:
A lower cost compared to other forms of dispute resolution
Less time in reaching resolution as the parties are not tied to court dates
Reduced stress as the process is informal and parties have more control
Different Kinds of Mediation
It is easy to forget that conflicts involve more than just money. Mediation is key to addressing the emotional parts of a dispute that courts are not equipped to address. There are three different kinds that relate to various conflicts:
Civil disputes usually involve contracts, agreements, and/or finances.
- Breach of Contract
- Debtor-Creditor
- Discrimination
- Employment Disputes
- Landlord-Tenant
- Neighborhood Disputes
- Small Claims
- Warrant in Debt
Family disputes involve people, finances, and relationships.
- Child Support
- Division of Assets
- Parenting Arrangements
- Spousal Support
Cross Border Mediation
Cross border disputes help resolve issues involving family members from multiple countries in connection with the laws of the involved countries.
- Communication issues involving two countries
- Family law issues that involve different countries
- Law Disputes in Different Countries
Who Should Choose Mediation?
Mediation is a great choice for those clients who need help resolving an issue but don’t necessarily want to go to court. Clients who choose this dispute resolution process are those who want to focus on the path ahead and preserve the relationship with the other party.
Confidentiality is another big concern of those clients in this process. All mediation sessions are kept confidential and off the public record. Keeping your concerns private is a top reason why many clients choose this process before other forms of legal dispute solutions.
It is important to note that mediation will only work if both parties are willing to make good faith efforts in working towards agreement. Mediation will fail if one side is not willing to make good faith efforts towards resolution.
Years of Experience
As an experienced mediator, Ms. King has mediated over a thousand cases and is also an authorized Virginia Supreme Court ADR trainer. She is an advocate for increasing the use of mediation as an alternative to traditional litigation and has decades of experience as a mediator.
For more information about how the mediation process works, contact us today for a FREE 30-minute consultation!
