Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution

A: Mediation is a process by which two or more parties meet with a trained unbiased third party (mediator) to resolve disputes through discussion, negotiation and problem solving. The parties involved in the dispute determine the solution to their conflicts with the assistance of the mediator: The mediator never imposes a solution.

A: Almost any, including, but not limited to:

• Neighborhood and/or Friends: noise, pets, trespassing, harassment, nuisance, trash;
• Family: issues concerning older family members, personal property, debts, harassment, other disagreements;
• Landlord-Tenant: security deposits, repairs, property damage;
• Consumer-Merchant: faulty repair, poor quality service or product, refunds;
• Child Custody/Parenting-Time Disputes: qualified low-income individuals in Harvey County receive a reduced rate; and
• Work Place: employer-employee and employee-employee.

A: After meeting individually with each party, CMC schedules a session between the parties during which the mediator asks each party to describe the conflict from his/her perspective while all others listen. The mediator asks questions to help identify needs and interests, clarify issues, and prepare an agenda.

Possible solutions are explored with the help of the mediator, and any agreement is put in writing and signed. If mediation is court ordered, their agreement will be submitted to court for consideration and likely adoption as an order of the court.

Neither attorneys nor witnesses are required, although if the parties have legal representation, it is recommended that their agreement be reviewed by their attorney prior to signing.

A: Mediation:

• gives more control to the people involved;
• can result in a win-win agreement;
• is generally confidential;
• is frequently less costly and faster than court proceedings;
• is informal; and
• seeks fairness for all parties.

A: Total mediation costs depend upon the amount of time required and the type and complexity of the case. A sliding scale, based on the parties' income, is frequently used to determine the fee each individual is expected to pay for CMC's mediation services. However, no one who qualifies for CMC's low-income domestic program will be denied services due to his or her demonstrated inability to pay. There is no charge to family members for use of CMC's ElderCare Problem-Solving Project.

Please contact CMC for further information regarding fees for mediation.

A: Mediation can be requested any time people need help resolving a conflict. Although participation in mediation can be either voluntary or court-ordered, it is not necessary that any legal proceeding be filed or contemplated. Friends, family members, organizations, agencies, legal representatives and others may make referrals to CMC.

A: Mediation sessions usually last two or three hours. Some disputes are resolved in one or two sessions. Child custody, multi-party, and more complex disputes may require more sessions.

A: For child custody/parenting-time disputes, CMC uses a panel of specially-trained, state-approved, professional mediators. For other cases, CMC's mediator panel consists of state-approved community volunteers and professional mediators.