There are many reasons why you may need mediation services. Mediation services are commonly known for being used in divorce proceedings, but they are more common in other areas than you may think. There are many areas they are used in that can benefit all parties involved. 

What Are Mediation Services?

Mediation services occur when you need to hire a third party to help you and another party come to an agreement or resolve issues. Mediation is a private process and is conducted by a trained mediator. 

What Does a Mediator Do?

A mediator's responsibility is to provide you with options and solutions. Mediators are not responsible for telling you what to do. Their job is to make sure you know your options and encourage you and the other party to agree on a solution. A mediator will stay neutral during the entire process.

What Are the Advantages of Mediation?

Some of the benefits are a better possible outcome or solution for both parties in a private and informal environment where all parties have a say in the outcome or solution. Plus, mediations are less stressful than a trial and they are cheaper than litigation. Choosing mediation over litigation can also be a good way to prevent more tension between all parties involved. 

When Are Mediation Services Used?

Mediation services are commonly used to prevent litigation from occurring in cases like divorce. Other areas in which mediation services may be necessary include, employment, adoption, personal injury, real estate, and business.

Becoming a Mediator

Mediators are required to have a college degree. Most states do not require that degree to be a law degree. Mediators will be required to go through many hours of training to become certified. Certification will be required to get hired by most mediation companies. Some companies may prefer to provide their own training for new mediators, so they are more informed on the specifics of their mediators' knowledge. Mediators may choose a specific area of practice to focus on. Focusing on one area allows them to become more familiar with the process of that specific area as it will vary slightly from other areas. It can also make networking easier because they only need to focus on one area's contacts. 

Cost of Mediation Services

Mandated mediation will often have available volunteer mediators. If a professional mediator is what you want, you will be paying anywhere between $1,000 to $2,000 per session. This cost is typically split between the involved parties. Mediation services will typically occur in more than one session.