Mediation: The art of collaborative compromise that keeps the costs of court at bay.
Mediation begins with the belief that conflict can be resolved through respect, open dialogue, and collaboration. The journey to a peaceful resolution begins with you. With the guidance of an experienced attorney, you’ll find practical, fair solutions that can work for everyone. We’ll take care of the details, so you can focus on moving forward to your next chapter.
What is Mediation?
Resolving Differences Amicably
At Wayfinder’s, we believe that every conflict has the potential to be resolved without the need for contentious court proceedings. Mediation offers a pathway to amicably resolve differences, empowering individuals to work collaboratively towards solutions that honor everyone's interests.
How does Mediation work?
Mediation is all about finding out-of-court solutions that are tailored to the needs and desires of the parties by having conversations that focus on desired outcomes. It starts with a neutral third party—the mediator—who’s here to help both sides communicate and come to an agreement. Before mediation, the mediator will chat with each of party separately to understand the issues and to figure out the best approach, based upon the nature of the case and the issues. Parties are encouraged to think about desired outcomes and submit a mediation statement that explains their position and desired outcomes.
Parties are invited to engage in mediation on their own or with their attorneys, so long as the attorneys understand their role is to support their client’s in finding a resolution through a client led process. Mediation can be face-to-face with all parties, over Zoom, or done in breakout rooms where the mediator talks to each person privately to keep things calm and productive. Whatever format works best, the goal is to create a space where everyone feels heard and understood.
What types of cases do we mediate?
We offer comprehensive mediation services for a variety of cases, including but not limited to:
Family Law Disputes: Custody, divorce negotiations, and parenting agreements.
Landlord-Tenant Issues: Lease disputes, eviction negotiations, and maintenance agreements.
Business Conflicts: Partnership disagreements, contract disputes, and financial issues.
Personal Issues: General disputes between individuals, including neighbor disagreements and personal conflicts.
Your case will be handled by a lawyer with expertise in your specific type of case. Should your case fall beyond our area of expertise, we may refer it to our network of professional mediators, who are lawyers.
Does Mediation work even when parties don’t seem to have any common ground?
The short answer is yes, in almost every case, a resolution can be found, if parties are sincere in their desire to engage resolving their dispute.
What are the main benefits of mediation?
Cost-Effective and Efficient
Mediation offers a significant advantage in terms of both time and cost. Compared to traditional litigation, mediation can vastly minimize legal fees, and the time spent in the resolution process. By choosing mediation, parties can redirect their focus away from lengthy court battles and towards productive discussions.
Key benefits include:
Lower Costs: With fewer resources consumed than in a trial, mediation can lead to substantial savings.
Faster Resolutions: Mediation sessions can often be scheduled swiftly, resulting in timely solutions rather than protracted court proceedings that can go on for years.
Flat Fees: We offer flat fee mediation, giving parties the comfort and knowledge that they can get their issues resolved without draining their resources.
Collaborative Problem Solving
In mediation, we facilitate constructive, respectful dialogue among parties. Our trained mediators guide discussions, helping each party express their views and concerns while fostering a cooperative atmosphere. This process allows for:
Active Listening: We encourage all parties to listen to one another openly to identify shared goals.
Finding Common Ground: Our mediators help distill issues down to their core components, enabling parties to encompass their common interests and values in their resolution.
Through collaborative problem solving, clients can turn disputes into opportunities for growth and understanding.
Tailored Solutions
Mediation is not a one-size-fits-all process. We understand that each situation is unique, and we work closely with you to create customized agreements that genuinely reflect your specific needs and circumstances. Our approach includes:
Flexible Agreements: We help develop creative solutions that align with your priorities, be it housing arrangements, parenting plans, or business operations.
Empowerment: By being directly involved in the decision-making process, you gain a sense of empowerment and ownership over the outcome.
At Wayfinders Law, we strive to ensure that every solution encourages long-term satisfaction for all parties involved.
Preserving Relationships
At Wayfinders Law, we understand the importance of maintaining healthy relationships, whether in a family dynamic, business partnership, or any other interaction. Our mediation approach emphasizes:
Healthy Communication: We promote an environment where parties feel comfortable discussing their concerns in a respectful and constructive manner.
Reducing Conflict: The mediation process is designed to minimize hostility and foster mutual respect, ensuring relationships remain intact even amidst disagreements.
Preserving relationships not only benefits the immediate parties involved but also creates a supportive environment for any affected family members or colleagues.
If you are seeking a peaceful resolution to a dispute, consider mediation with Wayfinders Law. Our skilled mediators are here to help you navigate your differences amicably.
Flat Fee Mediation
(for a fraction of the cost of an average retainer)
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Parenting Plans
Modification- Mediation up to 4 hours $1,500*
New Parenting Plan - Mediation up to 6 hours and comprehensive plan drafted. $3,000 *
*Pricing is per person. Upon reaching agreement, a professional parenting plan shall be prepared and delivered to parties, which they can elect to submit to the court.
Additional Fees
Should parties desire for a Paternity action to be initiated, the court filing fee, and hourly rates of $400 for attorney services, $125 for paralegal services, plus applicable taxes shall apply.
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Divorce without children & minimal assets
For individuals who have some assets and debts, who are keeping their own retirement accounts, and do not have children together. Includes up to 4 hours of Mediation and 2 hours of financial analysis.
$ 3,200 *
*Pricing is per person. Upon resolution, a detailed mediation agreement shall be prepared and delivered to parties.
Additional Fees
Should parties desire additional services, such as a divorce case initiated, legal paperwork drafted, attorney services shall be billed at $400 per hour, paralegal services at $125 per hour, and filing fees plus any applicable taxes shall apply.
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Divorce with Custody or Spousal Support
For parties with minimal asset and debt division, seeking a parenting plan or spousal support.
$ 4,800*
Includes:
Up to and 6 hours of mediation and 3 hours of financial analysis.
*Pricing is per person. Upon resolution, a detailed mediation agreement shall be prepared and delivered to parties.
Additional Fees
Should parties desire additional services, such as a divorce case initiated and legal paperwork drafted, attorney services shall be billed at $400 per hour, paralegal services at $125 per hour, and court filing fees, plus any applicable taxes shall apply.
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Divorce with Complex Asset & Custody Issues
For high net worth couples with significant assets and retirement accounts, who may also have spousal support and child custody issues.
$9,500*
For individuals with extensive asset and debt division, including marital homes, retirement accounts, pensions, credit cards, loans, and more. This package will address issues related to child support and spousal support, as well as the division of business interests and additional real estate.
Each package includes up to 8 hours of financial analysis, 12 hours of mediation sessions, and 4 document reviews.
*Pricing is per person. Upon resolution, a detailed mediation agreement shall be prepared and delivered to parties.
Additional Fees
Should parties desire additional services, such as a divorce case initiated, legal paperwork drafted, attorney services shall be billed at $400 per hour, paralegal services at $125 per hour, and filing fees plus any applicable taxes shall apply.
Consulting with financial planners and accountants on tax ramifications is also strongly advised.