A new service added in 2016 when Peggy Barrett, Principal Consultant, completed training at Henning Mediation and Arbitration in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Mrs. Barrett is Registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution for Civil and Domestice/Family Mediation.

 

Mediation is a very successfull pre-trial effort to resolve issues privately , timely, and more cost effectively. Confidentiality is the keystone of the mediation process. Participants in mediation can be more candid and more creative in their problem solving if they believe that sensitive information will not be shared, particularly with individuals that might preside over their case should it go to trial. 

 

We believe mediation is a natural extension of  personal and professional experiences.  It quickly became clear to us that mediation is at the heart of every relationship.

 

"As the former CEO of Broward Meals On Wheels (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) and former Board Chair of Meals On Wheels America,  the training provided an "aha" moment:  This is what I have "always done" !  I have always been a positive motivator for people navigating their most difficult transitions in life.  Helping peple reduce their anger and long term trauma, caused when life events are not as we expected them to be, has long been a skill for me."

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• CIVIL MEDIATION

  • Court Ordered or Private: With or without Attorney respresentation

  • This entails facilitating an agreement between two or more parties in dispute and unable to resolve on their own.

  • These conflicts  can be mediated quite successfully pre-trial.

    • Tenant / Landlord

    • Neighbor / Neighbor

    • Small Claims issues

    • Employer - Employee Relationships

    • EEOC  pre-trial efforts

• DOMESTIC

  • Court Ordered or Private: With or without Attorney representation

  • Divorce: Georgia Courts require all couples with children to complete a mediation process before the final decree is issued. This process includes negotiating EQUIABLE divorce terms, parenting plans, and child support calculations.

    • Child Support Modifications

    • Parenting Plans

    • Custody Changes

  • Elder Care and Estate Planning:

    • Disagreement often arises about the planning of  care for an aging parent and the disposition of material assets.  The ability to work these out equitably and with dignity is often thwarted by long emotional histories that surface during this time.   Mediation provides objective --NEUTRAL--assistance in working through this process.

• RULES OF MEDIATION

  • The mediator is a neutral and impartial person who will facilitate communications between the parties and assist in negotiations but will not coerce or control the outcome.

  • The mediator is not a judge or a finder of facts.

  • The mediator will not offer legal or financial advice.

  • You are expected to negotiate in good faith and provide full disclosure of matters that are material to any agreement reached.

  • You are expected to keep information confidential as well.

  • Any exceptions (example – safety of any party or 3rd person is in danger) will be covered before the mediation begins.

  • If participation in mediation is mandated by the court, your participation is all that is required and settlement cannot be mandated.

  • The mediation can be terminated at any time by the mediator or the parties.

  • By participating in a mediation, you affirm that you have the capacity to conduct good-faith negotiations and to make decisions for yourself, including a decision to terminate the mediation if necessary.

  • You are free to consult counsel at any time and are encouraged to have any agreement reviewed by independent counsel prior to signing.

  • A mediated agreement, once signed, can have a significant effect upon your rights and upon the status of the case.

  • These and other matters will be reviewed with you at the time of the mediation.

  • While the mediator will manage the process but the participants manage the agreement.