For a self-refferred case, call or complete the mediation request form to provide us with some basic information. We then contact the other party and ask if he or she is willing to try mediation. Unless court ordered, mediation is a voluntary process, so we cannot force anyone to participate. However, once we explain the process and people understand the benefits, they usually want to resolve the dispute quickly and affordably through mediation.

When a case is court ordered, we will follow the above described process. However, in these cases, the parties must participate in mediation. If someone refuses to do so, CRS notifies the court of that individual’s decision, and the court may find her/him in contempt of court

Already faced with a Court action? CRS can help reduce the time, cost, and adversarial effects of your law suit.

CRS mediators are impartial volunteers with diverse backgrounds who have completed state-approved, intensive training. Dedicated to neutrality, they facilitate the conversation, encourage people to hear each other, and help participants brainstorm solutions.

A CRS mediator has a very critical role in resolving conflict between parties. The CRS mediator is neutral, refrains from decision making or judging, ensures equality among disputants, generates movement when at an impasse, recognizes and halts manipulation by disputants, and knows that “no agreement” is better than a “forced agreement.”

CRS mediators are extensively trained in dispute resolution, and each must continue to meet the Accreditation and Re-Accreditation Guidelines enforced by the organization.

It is a DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS. While many courts often refer or order parties in a lawsuit to participate, mediation is not a legal proceeding over which the court presides. However, there is legislation that spells out guidelines for mediation, such as confidentiality. The ultimate goal of mediation is to reach a mutually acceptable written agreement that the parties involved in the dispute sign. That signed agreement serves as a legally binding document.

Sometimes despite the best efforts from both parties and the experienced mediator, an agreement that satisfies everyone involved simply can’t be reached. When this happens, it’s truly a case of “no harm, no foul,” and the mediation case just ends. At that point you can take your case to the courts and proceed through the normal court process.

While we understand that filling out the court forms can feel confusing and overwhelming, our services at CRS are limited to the facilitation of mediation and the mediation services themselves. We can’t provide any legal help with your dispute, and you would need to reach out to the courts or legal counsel for help with the forms.

No, even if the mediator is an attorney, they have to remain a neutral, impartial third party throughout the mediation process and can’t provide any legal advice about your dispute. However, you can be given time to contact an attorney if needed during the process.

At Conflict Resolution Services, we don’t charge for mediation services and may even waive our fees if you meet certain criteria. However, in general we charge an administrative fee for all of the work required to set up mediation, file the paperwork, etc.

When a case is court ordered, the parties must participate in mediation. If someone refuses to do so, CRS notifies the court of that individual’s decision, and the consequences are decided by the judge. This may include case dismissal, default judgment in favor of the other party, or being found in contempt of court.

When an agreement is reached, the terms of the agreement will be written down and signed by all parties. The signed agreement acts as a contract that is enforceable by the courts.

Don’t worry. We’re not going to send you annoying emails that clog your inbox. The reason we need your email address is that we have to send you the documents that require your electronic signature. For example, we need a confidentiality/agreement to mediate signed before mediation. And if you reach agreement during mediation, that’s also sent to you for your electronic signature.

Don’t worry! Not everyone is familiar with technology, and we do our best to accommodate in those situations. If you can’t use Zoom, you can call into mediation. You just need to call our office for the phone number. And if you would like to participate via Zoom and are willing to leave home, you can also come into our office and we’ll handle the technology for you on our computer.

Yes, and we know what a stressful situation that can be. Our impartial, third-party mediators are trained in techniques that allow both parties to have their sides heard. They can help tenants communicate with their landlords to explore options that may not be available if the dispute was to go to the courts.

While a majority of our mediation sessions are done via Zoom, many conflicts can be mediated in-person as long as both parties agree to it. The exception would be if a personal protection order is in place, but generally speaking, in-person mediation is often an option.

The Michigan Agricultural Mediation Program (MAMP) offers free mediation services to Michigan farmers to resolve their disputes outside of court. Farmers’ disputes covered by this grant can range from contract issues, estate and probate complications, adverse determinations by the USDA, bankruptcy, and just about any other conflict they may face concerning their farm.

Anyone can request mediation. However, participation in mediation is voluntary—unless ordered by the courts—so we can’t force anyone to participate. But once we explain the process and people understand the benefits, they usually want to resolve the dispute quickly and affordably through mediation.

If you’re facing a dispute, you likely want it resolved as quickly as possible. Taking a case to court can be a lengthy, expensive process, so you’ve decided to use mediation. How soon can we mediate your case? We typically schedule mediations between four and six weeks out, but may be able to address your case sooner in certain situations.

When allegations of child abuse and/or neglect result in children being removed from a home, it triggers a series of complex steps to ensure those innocent children are placed in a safe, permanent environment that’s in their best interest. Child protection mediation involves using a neutral third party—a specially trained mediator—to help everyone involved collaborate to find a mutually agreeable, beneficial solution for the children.

Unless ordered by a judge, mediation is a voluntary process, which means no one can be forced to participate. However, once we reach out to them to explain the process and that mediation can often save time, money, and stress, as well as produce a win-win resolution, they usually want to resolve the dispute quickly and affordably through mediation.

The MI-Resolve Family System is specifically designed to help families work together to create everything from new agreements regarding parenting time to revising current court-ordered plans and even creating news plans to make up for missed time — all through the help of a highly trained mediator on a secure online platform.