WHAT IS MEDIATION?
Mediation is a process in which a trained neutral person, a "mediator," helps individuals in a dispute to communicate with one another, to understand the each other, and if possible, to reach an agreement that meets everyone's needs.
WHAT TYPES OF DISPUTES CAN BE MEDIATED?
Starfish Mediation & Training will mediate just about any type of dispute between two or more individuals. Some examples of commonly mediated situations involve:
- Neighbor/Neighbor
- Family Disputes
- Husband/Wife (Divorce & Parenting Plans), Siblings, In-laws
- Roommates
- Landlord/Tenant
- Employer/Employee, Co-workers
- Business/Customer
- Community Associations/Groups
We offer preventive mediation services too! Preventive mediation is about heading off a potential conflict before it happens. Examples of preventive mediation can include:
Wedding/Marriage Planning (Who will pay for what, how many guests and the millions of other questions that can cause families to fight and feelings to get hurt)
Living arrangements for roommates and more
Meet The New Step-Parent (What are the expectations before misunderstandings)
Call today and see how we can help you! (410) 987-5484
HOW DOES MEDIATION WORK?
Everyone involved comes together with the mediator to discuss the conflict or potential conflict. Below is a basic outline of the mediation process we use.
- The mediator will explain in more detail the mediation process that will be used.
- The mediator will gather information about the conflict or potential conflict.
- The mediator will help to identify the specific issues that need to be discussed further.
- The mediator will facilitate discussion regarding all the possible solutions to each of the issues that have been listed.
- The mediator will facilitate discussion regarding all the possible solutions and YOU will decide which options may or may not work.
- The mediator will transcribe all of the solutions that have been agreed upon into a Memorandum of Understanding.
We may ask for you to bring specific information to the session or may schedule additional sessions so that you may gather information. The mediators will help you identify what information is needed, facilitate discussion regarding where information can be obtained, who will be responsible for obtaining the information and by when.
HOW MUCH DOES MEDIATION COST?
only pay for the sessions held.
Generally, mediation costs and takes much less time than taking a case to court or hiring an attorney. You do not have the costs of filing with the court or a retainer.
Here is an example:
Your contact your attorney regarding an on-going issue with your neighbor and your attorney charges $150 per hour.
- $75 for the initial meeting to discuss the matter
- $75 more for your attorney to draft and send letter to said neighbor
- $37.50 more when your neighbors calls your attorney regarding said letter
- $37.50 more when your attorney then calls you to inform you about the call
- $75 more when your neighbor's attoney calls your attorney
As you can see, the fees begin to quickly add up and litigation has not even begun yet. Think of the costs if this goes on for months. This does not include the physical and emotional toll that conflict has on the body.
The goal of Starfish Mediation & Training Group is to help you quickly and affordably resolve the conflict. Many conflicts can be resolved in only one or two sessions.
Call today and discover how mediation can work for you! (410) 987-5484
WHERE AND WHEN ARE MEDIATIONS HELD?
We have offices in Severna Park/Millersville. Mediations are scheduled based on our client's availability. Evening and weekend appointments available.
Mediation sessions are scheduled for two hours. We have found that two hours is needed to fully explain the process, have everyone explain the situation, generate and look at possible solutions and write the agreement.
IS MEDIATION CONFIDENTIAL?
We have developed the following privacy policy regarding our mediation services:
All information, oral or written, disclosed during a mediation and/or intake, shall be treated as confidential (with the exception of suspected child abuse, elder abuse or neglect, or threats to do bodily harm to one's self or another person).
Unlike court, mediation is closed to the public and encourages the discussion of sensitive information without fear of it becoming common knowledge.
WHO MAKES THE FINAL DECISION?
You and the other individual(s) involved make all the decisions. The mediator only guides you through the process and helps everyone communicate. Who knows better what will work than the individuals involved? Unlike court and other methods of resolving conflict, mediation is about you taking control of the final outcome.
The mediator will write down all the areas of agreement for everyone to sign.
