Whether it’s a conflict regarding schedule changes, transportation responsibilities, moving the child’s clothing or toys back and forth, or vacations and extracurricular activities, domestic disputes can be extremely stressful — and extremely expensive if they go to court. 

Parents want what’s best for their children, and often that’s working to provide a peaceful solution that not only resolves the current dispute, but also works to prevent any disputes in the future. 

That’s the goal behind MI-Resolve Family, the domestic version of the free online service MI-Resolve that allows people to resolve disputes online without going to court, or if a case is already filed in court, to resolve them before the trial date.

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. 

What is mediation?

Mediation is a faster and more affordable way to solve legal conflicts. Through the help of mediators trained through programs approved by the Michigan Supreme Court’s State Court Administrator, disputes can be settled outside of a courtroom and without standing in front of a judge. MI-Resolve is free to use and can be accessed 24/7/365, meaning that disputes can be resolved very quickly, often in a matter of days. 

It’s a confidential way for both sides to explain their point of view and hear the other person’s side of things. The mediator doesn’t decide who is right or wrong, but instead impartially helps those involved draft a mutually agreed-upon resolution that becomes a legally binding mediation agreement that the parties can sign online and submit to the court. Unlike in courts where someone “wins” and someone “loses,” mediation allows both parties involved to walk away with a solution in which both sides come out on top. 

How to use the MI-Resolve Family system

Whether you’ve been ordered to mediation or the Friend of the Court has suggested MI-Resolve Family as an option, the first thing that will happen is that your local CDRP center — like Conflict Resolution Services, for example — will reach out to you and review your unique case before deciding if MI-Resolve is the best option. If they feel it’s suitable to go to mediation, the staff of that center will invite both you and the other caregiver to meet with a trained mediator through a private online portal. 

After you receive your invitation to register on the system, the next steps include: 

• Creating a username and password that allows you to access the system from your preferred online device, whether that’s a smartphone, tablet, or computer. 
• Once logged in, you’ll be asked to answer a few questions.
• If you have photos, schedules, and other documentation that supports your viewpoint and responds to the other party, it can all be uploaded through MI-Resolve.
• After the other party logs into the system, you’ll be assigned a trained mediator and the conversation will begin. 
• The mediator will help move the conversation smoothly along and identify ways to amicably resolve the dispute, taking an impartial view of both sides of the dispute.
• If necessary, the mediator can also meet separately with each party in a private space.

All conversations held during mediation are confidential, and the only thing the court will be aware of is whether or not you participated and/or if the case reached a resolution. If/when you do agree on a particular resolution, an online agreement form is produced for both sides to sign, which then becomes a binding contract. At that point, other than ensuring that the proper forms are brought to court, more often than not you don’t need to appear in court for further events. 

We’re here to help families work together

By staying out of the courts and having your dispute heard through mediation, both parties have the opportunity to reach a more creative, cohesive solution and foster a more positive relationship going forward. Instead of a court deciding the outcome, both parties can offer their perspective and work to create a solution where everyone wins — especially the children involved. 

If your case hasn’t been ordered to mediation, but you’re interested in trying MI-Resolve for your dispute, reach out to Contact Conflict Resolution Services at 231-941-5835 or casemanager@crsmediationtc.org. We’re here to help.