Mediation
WHAT IS MEDIATION: the attempt to settle a legal dispute through active
participation of a third party (mediator) who works to find points of agreement and make those
in conflict agree on a fair result
WHY SHOULD I MEDIATE: Mediation allows the participants to devise their own
court order that meets their individual and family needs with little to no input from the court
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEDIATION:
Cuts litigation costs dramatically
Attorneys are not required
Parties are less likely to violate mediated agreement
You have a say in the outcome of your dispute
WHO PARTICIPATES IN MEDIATION: Generally, the two people or entities that
have the dispute participate along with a designated mediator. Parties may or may not
have attorneys present.
WHEN DOES MEDIATION TAKE PLACE: Designated times and a place for
mediation can be selected by the participants or the court decides when and where it will
take place. * Mediation through the Law Office of Dorothy Ferguson can be completed
on site or via videoconferencing by selecting a day and time that works best for all
participants.
HOW DOES IN-PERSON MEDIATION WORK: Each participant fills out an intake
sheet and schedules mediation. At your mediation session, the mediator will start with
both parties in the room and depending on the conflict may separate parties into rooms.
Mediator will shuffle between rooms until an agreement is reached. After an agreement
is reached, the mediator will draft an agreement, have both parties review, and sign the
agreement. If the dispute involves a dispute with the court, the Mediator will submit
mediated agreement to court and obtain court approval. Your mediated agreement will
then become a court order.
HOW DOES VIDEO MEDIATION WORK: Each participant fills out an intake sheet
online, submits, and participants schedule mediation online. Participants will be
provided a link to zoom conferencing and calendar invite for their mediation. At the
designated time, parties will conference in via zoom to begin mediation. Both parties will
appear on the video screen along with the mediation. The mediator has the ability to
separate parties into rooms via video if the need should arise. After an agreement is
reached, the mediator will draft an agreement, have both parties review via email, and
sign the agreement via docusign. If the dispute involves a dispute with the court, the
Mediator will submit mediated agreement to court and obtain court approval. Upon
approval of the Court, the agreement will become a court order.
HOW MUCH DOES MEDIATION COST: The cost of the mediation depends on the
amount of time selected but mediation is $150.00 an hour. Example: If you select two (2)
hours for mediation then the cost would be $300.00. Generally, the cost is divided between the two participants or the parties can decide who will pay for the mediation.
Cost of the mediation can be paid online, through paypal, over the phone, or in person,
whichever works best for the individuals. The fee must be paid prior to the start of the
mediation.
HOW DO I GET STARTED: Start by filling out in the intake form. Next, submit your
intake form either in person or via email. Next, chose between in-person mediation or
video mediation. Then schedule a time for mediation with the scheduler through this
website. Finally, pay for your mediation. Your all set.