Mediation
is a way of resolving disputes between two or more parties without
involving judges or litigation. The mediator is an impartial and neutral
third party, and guides the parties to negotiate their own settlement
based on their issues and interests. Rainbow Mediation Services uses a
facilitative mediation model, with two mediators serving jointly as the
neutral third party.
Our process is private and
confidential. We help parties with many kinds of disputes, including
separation or divorce, parenting plan issues, and disputes between
neighbors, colleagues and friends. As long as all parties are willing
and able to participate in good faith and with an open mind, mediation
can help solve many disputes.
Mediation is one form of
alternative dispute resolution. Others include arbitration,
collaborative law, negotiation, and conciliation. Rainbow Family Law
also practices collaborative law.
There are many reasons people
choose mediation over solutions involving adversarial legal approaches
and courts. Mediation is often a much less expensive process. While a
mediator’s fees are similar to an attorney’s hourly rate, the mediation
process usually takes much less time overall to arrive at a satisfactory
outcome. Mediation is also confidential. Except in rare cases, court
proceedings are open to the public, but mediators may not be subpoenaed
to testify in court and their notes are usually destroyed after the
mediation sessions are complete.
Mediation is also a creative,
collaborative process. Guided and coached by skilled mediators, parties
often find they are able to resolve their disputes in ways they had not
envisioned prior to starting mediation. Parties who settle a dispute
through mediation are much more likely to comply with the settlement
agreement and to feel that the result is “win/win” for all parties.
Mediation is especially valuable for disputants who have a
relationship they want to preserve, for example neighbors, work
colleagues and family members. This is because the mediation process
allows for all parties’ interests—emotional, intellectual and
substantive—to be discussed and often met. Even if they don’t get
everything they thought they wanted, participants feel heard and their
interests validated, key elements to maintaining the relationship with
the other party.
Is Mediation an option for you? Rainbow
Mediation Services provides a range of services for people exploring
mediation. Typically we can schedule the first mediation session within
one week of completing the intake and assessment process.
There
is no cost for the initial intake and assessment, whether in person or
by phone. At intake we will ask you some questions about the issue(s)
and the parties to the dispute to assess whether it is appropriate for
mediation. We will then recommend one of the following options:
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