Mediation is a confidential, informal, and flexible process designed to help individuals in conflict achieve a mutually acceptable resolution. A neutral third party, known as a mediator, facilitates the process. The mediator does not make decisions or advocate for either side. Instead, the mediator ensures that both parties can express their needs and concerns, explore relevant facts, issues, emotions and relationships, and brainstorm ideas for a mutually acceptable resolution. Often, parties meet together with the mediator to communicate directly with each other, but they may also meet individually with the mediator to confidentially discuss issues and potential solutions. Each party retains control over the decision to settle, and no one can be forced to agree to a settlement. If a settlement is reached, the parties draft and sign an agreement. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF MEDIATION? •Confidential. Mediation is a confidential process. The mediator will not discuss your mediation with anyone not involved in the mediation, and the sessions are not audio-recorded or transcribed. •Quicker and Less Expensive Than a Hearing or Investigation. For those who may be facing the prospect of a hearing or investigation, mediation may be a good option to consider. Mediation generally takes less time to complete than a hearing or investigation, and may allow for an earlier solution than is possible through a hearing or investigation. •Preservation of Relationships. Many disputes occur in the context of ongoing relationships. Mediated settlements that address all parties’ interests often preserve relationships in ways that would not be possible in a win/lose decision-making procedure. Mediation can also make the termination of a relationship more amicable. •Mutually Satisfactory Results. Parties are generally more satisfied with solutions that they have had a hand in creating, as opposed to solutions that are imposed by a third-party decision maker. •Comprehensive and Customized Agreements. Mediated agreements often help resolve procedural and interpersonal issues that are not necessarily able to be addressed through the legal system. Mediation allows the parties to customize their settlement to fit their unique circumstances and address the intricate details of its implementation. •A Foundation for Future Problem-Solving. After reaching a resolution through mediation, if another conflict arises, parties are more inclined to use a collaborative problem-solving forum to address their differences rather than opting for an adversarial method. HOW MUCH DOES MEDIATION COST? Seacoast charges a fixed fee of $1,000.00 for all mediation-related activities, including up to 4 hours of mediation, a 1 hour pre-mediation interview with each Party (for cases with two Parties), and up to 1 hour of administrative tasks performed by the mediator such as emailing with the parties, scheduling, document review, and preparing documents for the mediation. Additional costs may be incurred for additional mediation hours or expenses (e.g. mileage reimbursement, etc.). I AM INTERESTED IN SCHEDULING A MEDIATION...WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS? 1.Contact Seacoast below and briefly explain why you are seeking mediation. 2.Someone from Seacoast will be in touch to schedule a free 20 minute consultation with you to discuss the details of your case in greater detail and determine if Seacoast would be a good match for your case. 3.If it is a good match, then Seacoast will begin the process of scheduling your mediation and setting up payment terms.