Mediation

Mediation is designed to have the parties work with a neutral mediator or team of mediators. Sometimes one or both of them will have an attorney (reviewing or consulting) working with them as well.

Litigation is generally prohibited during this process. This process relies on the parties to be the principal negotiators, with the mediator helping to keep the process structured and focused on interests and solutions that work for both parties. The ultimate resolution may look like the probable outcome in law, but the process offers the parties the most freedom to find a solution that may work better for them than those offered by the law. Although this process will generally require three attorneys, (the mediator and two reviewing attorneys) it is still probably by far the least expensive and most rewarding for the parties.

Bear in mind, as with the expression "it takes two hands to clap," both parties must be committed to resolving differences within the framework of mediation for mediation to be an effective means of dispute resolution.