How Does Mediation Work?

The power of assisted and focused communications can work wonders, even when relationships seem beyond repair.

Mediation is perhaps most often associated with Massachusetts divorce, but a wide-variety of disputes are successfully resolved through mediation everyday, whether a complex business dispute, employment matter, or a consumer-related claim.

How does mediation  work? It involves a neutral facilitator that helps the parties reach their own settlement by:

  • Encouraging helpful communications.
  • Uncovering areas where the parties share interests and concerns.
  • Asking questions to help move the discussion forward and develop information useful to the parties.
  • Reframing statements expressed by the participants minimize emotions and summarize points using more neutral language.
  • Encourage those involved to explore ideas not otherwise considered.

Mediators have different styles and approaches; but no matter what the mediator’s style, he or she cannot force an agreement upon anyone. Mediation is completely voluntary in Massachusetts. It keeps the details of your family or business private, while saving money compared to other methods of dispute resolution – especially when compared to litigation.

The mechanics of each mediation vary based upon the type of dispute. Thus a divorce mediation will be different from a real estate or employment matter, but the overall process is similar.  Divorce and family mediation does not normally include lawyers at the mediation sessions; whereas commercial and other civil mediations frequently include attorneys.

A powerful – yet often overlooked – characteristic of mediation involves the benefits to the parties well-after the agreement is signed. By cooperating to find common ground, maintaining flexibility, and keeping communications open and respectful, people are able to maintain better relationships into the future. As you might expect, this dynamic has many positives.

You’ll find much more information about mediation on this website, especially throughout the blog section. Please make use of the search box to help you find what you are looking for. Better yet, just give us a call and schedule your own consultation to talk more about your situation and options to resolve your case.

Examples of Mediated Cases:

Massachusetts Divorce & Family Law

  • Massachusetts Divorce, including complicated and high-value cases.
  • Work out the details of a Prenuptial Agreement.
  • Use Mediation to help stay married, reaching agreements of parenting, finances, and more.
  • Mediate a change in child support or a parenting schedule post-divorce.
  • Mediate modifications to alimony.
  • Disagreements between heirs and other probate problem.
  • Will Contests
  • Will and Probate Disputes

Business, Real Estate, and Civil Matters

  • Neighbor Problems
  • Real Estate
  • Business and Employment cases
  • Software Licensing
  • Broker/Dealer
  • Insurance Claims
  • Partnership Matters
  • Fiduciary Responsibility
  • Contracts
  • Non-compete Agreements
  • Consumer Claims

Interested in reading more about mediation? Here are some links to other pages on our website: