Many types of disputes can be resolved through mediation.   Here are just a few examples:
 

• Property damage
• Neighborhood issues such as shared driveway, noise, or fence problems
• Problems buying, selling, or repairing something
• Business and contract disputes
• Landlord/tenant disputes
• Family disputes involving siblings, relatives, or parent/child such as contested wills or curfew agreements
• Anything you would sue somebody for in small claims court
• And many other types of disputes as long as both sides agree to try mediation

Why try mediation?

• The decision-making process belongs to you.  You decide how to best resolve your dispute; unlike court, no one judges your problem and tells you what to do.  You get to reach an agreement that you can live with.
• It works. Thousands of cases have been successfully mediated to all parties' satisfaction.   Mediation is a "win/win" rather than a "win/lose" solution.   In court, someone wins, someone loses.   The goal of mediation is to have all parties arrive at a mutually satisfactory agreement.
• It's affordable.   The service is provided at no cost to you.
• It's quick.   When parties agree to try mediation, most disputes can be resolved within two weeks!  A typical mediation session lasts less than two hours.
• It's effective.   About 80% of all mediations end in agreement.   In fact, the likelihood of settling a dispute to both parties' satisfaction through mediation is much higher than in small claims ourt.
• It's convenient.   You can mediate on weekdays, Saturdays and evenings to accommodate your schedule.
• It's private.   Everything said or used for purposes of reaching settlement remains confidential and cannot be used in a lawsuit.
• It avoids going to court.  Mediation is not combative of adversarial like court can be; it helps protect and enhance relationships between people by providing a comfortable and safe setting for discussion.
• Mediation can help reduce the likelihood that the problem will occur again.   In fact, you can even agree that if a problem occurs again, everyone will go back to mediation.

Can I try mediation if I have already filed a case in court?

Yes!   Many judges throughout the state strongly encourage parties to try to resolve problems on their own.  If you resolve the problem before your court date, you do not have to have a hearing or trial in court, although you may have to file a form indicating that you have resolved the case.   In many cases, mediation may save your having to take time off from work to go to court and helps you avoid the confrontational court setting where parties present evidence against each other.   You also avoid the possibility of entirely losing your case.   If you try mediation but do not come to an agreement, you can still go to court.