FAQs

Mediation, a form of Alternate Dispute Resolution, is a process whereby parties in a dispute get together; either in person or online, to settle the matter among themselves with the assistance of a professional mediator, which also may be referred to as a neutral. The process of mediation may be undertaken prior to any court action being filed, or in some cases, after litigation has already begun and the parties would prefer to settle the matter rather than proceed to a trial. The mediator doesn’t take sides or make decisions — their role is to help guide the conversation and keep things productive.

Court is formal, slow, and expensive. Mediation is private, flexible, and focused on solutions. In court, a judge decides the outcome. In mediation, you and the other party stay in control and decide what works best for your situation. An added advantage of mediation is that parties typically are able to resolve their difference in such a way that preserves their future relationship, be in business, personal, financial, etc. This is markedly different than any resolution from a judge’s who would simply issue an order based only on the facts and the law before him/her and not be concerned with any party relationships going forward.

At AccordBridge we work with a wide range of issues, including landlord-tenant disputes, HOA and community conflicts, family and domestic matters, divorce and custody issues, and general civil disagreements. If two or more people or groups are stuck and want to find a way forward to resolve their dispute, mediation is usually a good place to start.

Yes. Mediation is voluntary, so everyone involved needs to be willing to participate. That said, many people are more open to mediation once they understand it’s not about “winning” — it’s about finding a practical way to move on. Once the parties agree to mediate, they are not bound or obligated to accept a resolution but they are expected to participate in the process in good faith.

Yes. What is discussed during mediation stays private. This allows everyone to speak openly and explore solutions without worrying that their words will be used against them later. Additionally, with a few exceptions, anything discussed or revealed in a mediation session cannot be later used in court against either party.

Absolutely. We offer secure virtual mediation sessions, which can be especially helpful when people are in different locations or prefer not to meet in person. We also offer in-person sessions at our office or we will travel to your location within the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Some disputes can be resolved in a single session. Others may take more than one meeting. It really depends on the situation and how complex the issues are. The goal is always to move things forward as efficiently as possible.

If both parties reach an agreement, that agreement is put into writing and signed. In most cases, that written agreement is enforceable, just like any other contract. The mediation settlement can become an exhibit or part of any further litigated settlement, i.e. divorce, custody, business, or any other court settlement.

You are not required to have a lawyer to take part in mediation. Some people choose to have one, while others don’t. Mediation is designed to be accessible and focused on communication, not legal arguments.

The easiest way is to schedule a session using the calendar on this site or call us at 844-237-0101. If you’re not quite ready, you can also use the contact form and we’ll follow up to answer any questions.