Mediation
Not all disputes need to end up in front of a judge or jury. Mediation is usually a faster, much less expensive way to bring parties together to see if they can reach an agreement without all the costs and unpredictability of court.
The Advantages of Mediation
Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution method that offers an opportunity for parties to explore ways to resolve disputes in a less formal atmosphere than a court, in less time, and for less money. Mediators are neutral parties whose role is to facilitate discussion and consensus building between the other parties to find ground for potential agreement. Since mediation is a voluntary, confidential process, parties have the opportunity to try to create solutions without having to worry that what is said in mediation will later be repeated in court if the parties cannot reach an agreement.
Pre-Suit Mediation
Many times, parties want to proactively resolve an issue before a lawsuit is filed. Even if there is disagreement over what exactly happened or the extent of liability or damages, it often makes sense to try to find a middle ground that everyone can live with in order to avoid ever setting foot in a courtroom. Mediation can often help resolve these matters quickly and cost-efficiently, allowing parties to get back to their lives.
When to Use Mediation
Post-Suit Mediation
If a lawsuit has already been filed, judges often order parties to mediation to try to explore areas of possible agreement in order to reduce the courts’ caseload. In these cases, parties may have a better idea of how the other side views the situation, the arguments that will be made, and the likelihood of success. Even if the parties cannot come to a complete agreement, mediation may help them resolve certain issues, cutting down the amount of work that needs to be done before trial.
What Merhar Law Offers
Mike Merhar is a Florida Supreme Court-Certified County Mediator who has mediated dozens of civil cases in Florida. With more than a decade of experience as a law enforcement officer, Mike brings a unique perspective to mediation with an emphasis on analyzing what parties truly want while promoting candor and civility. Here is what to expect:
Statewide mediation by video conference.
Emphasis on probate, trust, and civil disputes.
Hourly rates, with no minimum.
Only pay for the time reserved and any overage.
The first hour also includes an extra 30 minutes of preparation time.
No cancellation/rescheduling fee if done at least 24 hours before the mediation.
Schedule a Mediation
Michael Merhar is a Florida Supreme Court-Certified County Mediator who has mediated dozens of civil disputes. If you are interested in avoiding the expense and uncertainty of court, schedule a mediation today.