With mediation, you can maintain control over your case. You can share your evidence with the mediator and request that whatever is communicated remain confidential. Alternatively, you can authorize the mediator to disclose certain evidence to the other side in effort to sway that party toward your position. You can essentially eliminate the risk of spending a small fortune in fees and costs and possibly losing your case in court. The parties dictate the outcome rather than a judge or jury. Your emotions essentially remain in check.

A Zoom video mediation is easy and safe. It is simple to share and review documents as the process works while you remain comfortable in your attorney’s office or even in your own home. Depending on the number of issues involved, the parties can choose a half or a whole day mediation. Once your issues are resolved, a mediation agreement (referred to as an MSA) is created and electronically signed by everyone and then exchanged via Adobe signature software. It is then electronically filed with the court.

One of the parties or their attorney prepares a final order for the court to sign. A party may possibly have to appear before the judge and explain the agreement before the judge will approve and sign the order. However, in light of the COVID-19 situation, most judges are accepting a simple affidavit from a party that basically explains what was agreed and why. The judge can then sign the order and enter it into the official court files without the parties having to be present. You may never have to attend court with a successful mediation.