What is Mediation?

By definition, mediation is a "process of communication where people involved in a dispute come together, with the assistance of a neutral third party (the mediator), in an attempt to find lasting and mutually satisfying resolution to the dispute."  This resolution may be in the form of an agreement, a reconciliation or simply an understanding. 

There are various styles or disciplines of mediation that are commonly in use today.  Each of these disciplines has its place and different types of disputes are better receptive to different mediation disciplines.  At American Mediation Services, we use a blended-discipline approach to your mediation, paying careful attention to the dynamics of the dispute, the receptiveness of the parties involved and modifying our style as the mediation progresses.  This ensures that each mediation is as comfortable as possible for all the parties involved and that a resolution or settlement of the dispute is much more likely to be reached.

Why Choose Mediation?

Mediation is better than litigation - Many people think mediation is a legal maneuver or stall tactic that takes place as part of the litigation process.  While that may sometimes be the case, mediation is actually a form of resolving a dispute that is an alternative to lawsuits and litigation.  In fact, you don't have to wait until you file a lawsuit or are ordered by a judge to go to mediation. 

Mediation is less expensive and much quicker - Often times, the most effective mediation is one that is scheduled before you ever file a lawsuit.  Not only is it often more effective, it is also generally less expensive.  It saves you the expenses incurred from filing a lawsuit or perhaps even hiring an attorney and it will save you a considerable amount of time compared to the long process of filing a lawsuit and pursuing resolution through litigation.  Your time is valuable!  The earlier you can resolve a dispute, the more time you save and the faster you can get back to living your life!

Mediation is convenient - Mediations can be scheduled on weekdays in the morning, afternoon and evening and even on the weekends.  They can be scheduled at our offices or at a location that is convenient to you.

Mediation is non-adversarial - This means that the parties in a dispute work together to find a solution that everyone can live with.  In litigation, there are truly winners and losers.  In mediation, everyone wins because everyone can live with the outcome and move on with their lives.

Mediation is your process! - Who better to make the decision on what should be the final outcome of a dispute than the people with the actual differences?  In the mediation process, there is no judge or jury to tell you what the outcome should be, who is right versus who is wrong or to whom something should be awarded.  There is no one that is going to hear a summarization of what has happened and then render a decision.  In fact, by its very definition, in mediation, you're in control!

Mediation works! - Even if you've tried unsuccessfully to resolve your dispute through other means, you should try mediation.  Nationally, the success rate for mediation is about 70 percent and with American Mediation Services, it's actually higher than that!

"The most satisfying resolution to any dispute or conflict is one in which those that are in the middle of the situation have a direct role in determining the outcome.  I am here to help you find your way to that outcome; to help you navigate through the troubled waters of your conflict and find the restorative peace that is offered by a lasting resolution."
- Marc Lilly