Serving Alcona, Alpena, Iosco, Oscoda, Crawford, Kalkaska, Otsego, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, and Montmorency counties.

 

Community Mediation Services Website

www.otsego.org/cms/

 

E-Mail Address

communitymediationservices@frontier.com

 

Address

116 Fifth Street

Gaylord, MI  49735

 

Phone Number(s)

1-989-732-1576

1-800-873-7658 (Toll Free)

 

Fax Number

1-989-705-1337

 

WHAT IS MEDIATION?

 

  • Mediation is a process in which two or more people involved in a dispute meet in a private, confidential setting and with the help of a neutral "trained" person (mediator),  work out a solution to their problem.
  • Mediation offers the opportunity for parties to participate in resolving their dispute rather than having it resolved for them by a judge.
  • Mediators are community volunteers who receive specialized training in conflict resolution techniques and communication skills.  A mediator is not a judge; they do not decide who is right or wrong in a disagreement.
  • During mediation, all parties involved in the dispute explain the situation as they see it and present their ideas on how they think the matter can be resolved.  Mediators help the disputing parties develop and agree upon a realistic, workable solution to their problem.

 

 

CASES APPROPRIATE FOR MEDIATION 

A wide variety of cases can be successfully resolved through mediation. Each mediation center typically handles cases involving:

  • Property damage
  • Neighborhood issues such as joint driveway or fence problems
  • Consumer/merchant disputes
  • Business and contract disputes
  • Small Claims
  • Landlord/Tenant disputes
  • Difficulties with and between children or teens
  • Family disputes involving siblings, relatives or parent/child such as contested wills or curfew agreements
  • Conflicts between parents of students with disabilities and school personnel
  • Other disputes when both sides agree to mediation.

 

 

WHY SHOULD I USE MEDIATION?

Reasons to consider mediation include:

  1. The decision making process belongs to you.
  2. It works.  The goal of mediation is to have all parties arrive at a mutually satisfactory agreement.
  3. It's cheap.  The service is free, however donations are appreciated.
  4. It's quick.  Most mediation sessions are scheduled within ten days of both parties' agreeing to mediate and usually last no longer than two hours.
  5. It's convenient.  Mediation can be held at your local dispute resolution center on weekdays, Saturdays, or evenings to accommodate parties' schedules.
  6. It's private.  All discussions related to the subject of the mediation remain confidential and cannot be used in a lawsuit.

 

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF AN AGREEMENT OR MEDIATION IS NOT SUCCESSFUL?

No one will force you to reach an agreement.  If an agreement cannot be reached between the disputing parties, or if one or more of the parties fail to follow through with the mediation session, program staff will assist parties in exploring other options for resolving the dispute. 

 

Additional options may include filing a legal case in court, such as a small claims action, a civil suit, or conducting a second mediation session.