What is Alternative Dispute Resolution?
Alternative Dispute Resolution, usually referred to as ADR, offers parties a way to resolve their differences without going to court. In the Atlantic Judicial Circuit, parties are encouraged to, and in some cases required to, try a method of ADR known as mediation.
What is mediation?
Mediation is a process where a neutral third party, known as the mediator, helps parties to resolve a conflict. Some benefits of mediation include:
- Less formal than court.
- Promotes communication and cooperation.
- Benefits children by reducing conflict.
- Private and confidential – avoids public disclosure of personal problems and the stress of a traditional courtroom battle.
- May be completed in less time than litigation, saving you time and costly litigation expenses.
The mediator is not a judge and has no authority to make a decision or force the parties to settle their case. Whether you settle is entirely up to you and the other party. Mediation is an alternative to court in which YOU have control over the final outcome.
I’ve been ordered to go to mediation. What do I do?
Read the order carefully. It is a court order and you are required to obey it. The order outlines all of the steps that you need to take and what you need to bring to your mediation:
(1) Pick a mediator. You can select a private mediator approved by the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution who practices in the Atlantic Judicial Circuit. Here in the Atlantic Judicial Circuit, we are fortunate to have a great number of well-qualified mediators with a range of skillsets, including former judges, attorneys, and laypersons with a wealth of experience in different industries. You and the opposing party are encouraged to agree on a mediator; if you can’t agree, your case will be automatically assigned a mediator by the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program Director.
(2) Schedule the mediation. You have ten days from the date of the court order to select a mediator and start the scheduling process with him/her. You must then contact the ADR Program at (912) 876-8527 to let them know whom you have selected. In most cases, you have 120 days from the date of the order to complete the mediation; please keep this deadline in mind as you select a mediator and schedule the mediation.
(3) Prepare for the mediation. The better prepared you are for the mediation, the more likely you are to succeed and settle your case. You can prepare for the mediation by thinking about your specific interests that you want to be addressed during the mediation. Outline the points that you would like to make to the opposing party and to the mediator. Gather all of the documents that are relevant to your position in the case (e.g., tax returns, W-2s, 1099s, business records, and documents related to property values and account balances). In domestic cases (e.g., divorce, legitimation, and modification), you must complete a Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit before the mediation and bring it with you. (If you need help completing the Affidavit, you’re encouraged to seek the advice of a lawyer).
(4) Participate in the mediation. While you aren’t required to settle at the mediation, you are required to attend and participate in good faith. Lawyers are not required to attend the mediation, but they are allowed and encouraged to do so. The mediation process involves only the parties and their attorneys. The presence of others (witnesses, new spouses, family members, etc.) may create ill feelings even before the mediation begins, so please think twice before asking people to accompany you to the mediation location. Children are not allowed in the mediation session and childcare is not provided.
(5) Reach an agreement at mediation or go to court. If the parties don’t reach an agreement at mediation, the case will proceed normally through the court process. Judges favor mediation but will not hold a failed mediation against either party. The content of the mediation is confidential and judges are not informed of the reasons for a failed mediation.
If you have any questions about the order or the steps outlined above, contact the Atlantic Judicial Circuit ADR Office at (912) 876-8527 or v.billings@ajccourts.org.
How much does mediation cost?
Parties who believe that they qualify for a fee waiver should contact ADR Program Director. Court-approved private mediators charge market rates. For more information regarding court-approved private mediators, including their rates, click here.
How long does mediation take?
Most mediations are completed within 2-4 hours, sometimes less. If the issues are complex, the mediation may take more time or require multiple sessions.
Can I be exempted from mediation?
Certain cases will be exempted from mediation at the request of one or both parties. For more information on exemption, please contact the Atlantic Judicial Circuit ADR Office at (912) 876-8527
I’d like my case to be mediated but have not received a mediation order. Can I participate in mediation?
Please contact the Atlantic Judicial Circuit ADR Office at (912) 876-8527
Alternative Dispute Resolutions – Atlantic Circuit
In order to get the most out of the mediation process and better utilize your time and money, you should be well prepared for the mediation session. Since the mediator’s role is to remain neutral and impartial, he/she knows very little about your case prior to the session. The mediator comes to the session with basic information on the parties and an idea of what issues may be in dispute (i.e., custody, visitation, property division, etc.). The mediator relies upon the parties to supply the information necessary for an educated discussion of the issues. For example, if the parties want to decide what happens to the marital home, in order to discuss possible solutions, the mediator and parties must know its current value, what is owed on it, etc. The mediator cannot work without this information. If you do not have it, the mediator may stop the session and reschedule when the information is available. If the first session is canceled and rescheduled for this reason, the parties will still be responsible for the mediation fees.
The best way to prepare for mediation is to gather all the papers that are important to the dispute. In domestic actions (divorce, modifications, contempts, paternity), depending upon what issues to be discussed, you should bring the following:
Investments
CHILDREN ARE NOT ALLOWED AT THE MEDIATION SESSION. ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE MADE FOR CHILDCARE
Most divorces and modifications cases involve issues, which require you bring a financial affidavit (see above). If you have not completed your financial affidavit, contact your attorney or the ADR office prior to the mediation session to complete one. FAILURE TO BRING A FINANCIAL AFFIDAVIT COULD RESULT IN FINDING YOU BEING NONCOMPLIANT WITH THE ADR ORDER.
If your case involves a modification of a final decree, please bring a copy of the final decree, which has been filed with the Superior Court.
We cannot cover all of the possible issues, which may be discussed during the mediation session, nor can we list all the necessary documents, which may apply in your particular case. If you have questions about how to prepare for the mediation session, please feel free to contact the ADR office at 912-876-8527 or 201 S. Main st. Suite 3101-C, Hinesville, Ga. 31313.
