Benefits of Mediation

People in a mediation sitting at a table

There are many benefits for people who choose to mediate.  Mediation is much more efficient and inexpensive than going to court.  At Finding Common Ground, our mediation process is designed to help you save as much money and time as possible while creating the best solution for your unique situation.  We are not just Attorney Mediators, we are creative problem solvers.  After we help you reach agreements, we then carefully draft those agreements so you can move on and avoid conflict in the future.

Save Time and Money with Mediation

Using the mediation process to resolve your family law issues saves a tremendous amount of time, cost, and energy. The mediation process is an informal process that uses and neutral, third-party mediator to assist in resolving issues between parties. The mediator helps guide the parties through their various issues, assists in clearing-up misunderstandings, and create an agreement that all parties can agree to. The mediator has no power to make a binding decision until all parties are in agreement.

Here are some ways where mediation is beneficial.

  • Faster: A mediated dissolution often takes between three and six months, whereas a typical litigated case lasts an average of two years.
  • More Affordable: Mediation is less costly than both litigation and Collaborative Law. Hiring a mediator costs significantly less than hiring an attorney. Plus, the shorter timeline and lower fees means you will be paying less overall. Studies have shown that mediation can be between three and ten times cheaper than the traditional litigated case.
  • Parties Maintain Control: Unlike in a lawsuit, the mediation process allows the parties to maintain control of the negotiation process and, ultimately, the final outcome.
  • Avoid the Courtroom: The mediation process is less formal that litigation. This means that all parties avoid travelling to the courts and can focus on resolving their disputes in a more comfortable environment. Mediation empowers you because you are in control, not a judge. Decisions are made mutually by both parties with the help of the trained Attorney Mediators. Mediation clients also choose when to schedule their mediation sessions and never spend the day waiting in a court for their case to be heard.
  • Greater Privacy: Matters that are discussed in Court become public record. Since the parties are avoiding the courtroom by using the mediation process, information that is shared can remain confidential.
  • Better Outcome: Because mediation is a process that allows parties to work together to find common ground, it is generally found that the parties are typically more satisfied with the results. This can be seen as much better than the litigation process where attorneys argue in front of the judge and the judge makes the final decision.
  • Preserve Relationships: Mediation focuses on the future. When people in mediation have children or ongoing relationships, they have an opportunity to put their best foot forward during a difficult time rather than choosing a more adversarial process. We use ground rules and create a safe environment to help our clients work out difficult issues in a respectful and productive manner. Clients often find ways to communicate more effectively during the mediation process. Mediation also uses problem solving techniques that can be helpful for avoiding conflict in the future.
  • Reach Lasting Agreements: People who mediation create their own solutions in mediation, and are more likely to follow those agreements, thus avoiding the cost and stress of ongoing legal battles.