Time & Money Issues
How long will our mediation take?
There is no prescribed number of mediation sessions for any one conflict. Some mediations can be completed within a couple of hours, while others may take anywhere from two to six sessions over a period of several weeks or a few months. The length of time it takes to mediate depends on the number and complexity of issues that need to be addressed as well as the degree of cooperation between the parties.
We need a quick resolution. Can we speed this up?
The conflict took time to develop and is not likely to disappear overnight. However, there are things you can do to speed up the resolution. Ask yourself: How motivated are we to settle? Are we willing to listen to and try to understand one another's points of view in good faith? How well do we communicate? Are we prepared to focus on the issues needing to be resolved? Can we resolve any issues directly between sessions? If you answer positively, chances are good that mediation will move forward more quickly.
How much will it cost?
Mediation should cost a small fraction of what it would cost for you to arbitrate or litigate your dispute -- even when you retain your own attorneys and use the services of other professionals such as CPAs, mental health professionals and appraisers. Fees vary in accordance with the service provided. Please contact us for a fee schedule.
Why is mediation less costly than litigation?
Mediation is usually much faster than litigation. The time it takes for you to arrive at an agreement is within your control, so that you are not paying a mediator for endless hours of his or her time. Moreover, you and the other party are encouraged to share responsibility for the mediator's fees (often much less than attorney fees), as well as the fees of impartial, jointly retained experts including attorneys.
In litigation, on the other hand, each party pays his or her own attorney to respond to motions, attend hearings, interview witnesses, take and defend depositions, and converse with opposing counsel – as well as pay for expert witness reports, court reporter fees and transcripts. And there are the additional financial and emotional costs of the inevitable appeals.