Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a process where an uninvolved impartial third party works with individuals in a dispute to help think through possible solutions and find a mutually acceptable resolution. A mediator has no decision making power – the parties in the dispute have to agree to any resolution, so they have veto power – but the mediator can help to brainstorm ideas, reality test proposed options, and clarify the issues both sides need to have addressed.

Who is my mediator?

The mediators working with the Resolution Center are all experienced face-to-face mediators who have than 40 hours of advanced training in how to provide effective mediation services. We also monitor the performance of our program mediators to ensure they meet the very high standards of service we set for them. If you have any issues with your mediator, please email us directly at admin@resolutioncenter.com and we will respond promptly.

Can I still go to court?

Absolutely. Participating in a mediation does not prevent you from escalating your dispute to a formal hearing in front of a judge. However, we have found that the most effective solutions to disputes usually are achieved amicably through mutual agreement. We urge you to give the mediation process a try prior to requesting a formal hearing in front of a judge. Due to time and docket constraints, judges are often not able to review as much information as mediators. While all judges make the best decision they can in each case, they often cannot spend the time to explore every detail and nuance. All the more reason to give the mediation a full chance to succeed before moving to the next level and going to court.

Why is this process online?

Most mediations these days happen face-to-face. As our society gets more and more wired every day, however, many things that traditionally have taken place face-to-face are now happening via technology. That way, you don't have to take a day off work, drive down to the courthouse, wait for your case to come up, etc. – which means saved time and expense for you. This online mediation system is a pilot program we are trying out to determine whether disputants find it valuable. We will gather feedback from all the participants after we are through and analyze it to determine whether this is a useful option to make available moving forward.