Divorce Mediation

Parenting Plans

Coparenting Disagreements

Family Mediation

Adoption Mediation

Grandparent Rights

Eldercare Mediation

Probate Mediation

Healthcare Dispute Mediation

Landlord/Tenant and Eviction Mediation

Mediation Preparation Consulting

Mediation allows parties to have a clear voice in working towards a mutually satisfactory outcome. It can also be attractive to parties who would like to resolve sensitive family issues without involving attorneys. On the other hand, clients are welcome to bring their attorneys to mediation.

Mediation is usually a cost-effective option, with the total expense of the process often being a fraction of the price compared to attorney and court fees.

By virtue of our practice, AMMC is especially experienced in working in areas related to children, families, and healthcare.

In order for mediation to occur, all parties must be willing to attend and sign a contract indicating their willingness. Mediation is usually a voluntary process (some mediation cases are court ordered, but even in this scenario, settlement is not a requirement).

Mediation sessions typically lasts from one to eight hours. They may occur over the course of a day, several days, or may be spread out over several weeks or months.

The outcome of mediation depends on the parties’ capacity to negotiate and agree on workable solutions (even in cases where emotions are high). Some mediation cases consist of parties who are very much in-line from the start, however, most mediation cases require a certain amount of compromise, concessions, and “give and take” mentalities. Depending on the circumstances, if one party is not willing to make an agreement, other options must be pursued, such as arbitration or court systems.

The outcomes of mediation range from legally binding contracts to simple verbal agreements, and also include “handshake agreements”, loose written agreements, or signed and notarized agreements. We can discuss the appropriate level of formality for your situation during our consultation.

Formal Mediation

Formal mediation is a structured process designed to help parties resolve legal disputes outside of a courtroom while still ensuring that any final agreement has the full force of law.

A registered mediator facilitates discussions, ensuring that each party has the opportunity to express their concerns and identify possible solutions.

If both parties reach a mutual agreement, the mediator drafts a written document outlining the terms.

Once signed by the parties, this agreement is submitted to the court for judicial review and approval (this usually occurs prior to filing if a divorce case, or if a lawsuit has already begun for other matters).

After a judge signs the document, it becomes a legally binding court order. This means that each party is legally obligated to follow the terms, and failure to do so could result in enforcement actions or even a finding of contempt of court.

Court-Ordered Mediation:
In many cases, particularly in family or civil disputes, a judge may order the parties to participate in mediation before allowing the case to proceed to trial. Court-ordered mediation does not mean the judge decides the outcome; rather, it gives the parties a structured opportunity to resolve their issues collaboratively with the help of a neutral mediator. If an agreement is reached, it is submitted to the court and often approved as part of the official case record. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, the matter may return to court for further proceedings.

Examples of formal mediation include:

Divorce and custody cases: Parents may use formal mediation to agree on child custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and child support.

Civil disputes: Business partners might reach a settlement regarding contract disputes or financial claims.

Tenant–landlord matters: A tenant and landlord may mediate a dispute over property damage or lease termination to avoid a formal trial.

Formal mediation is often preferred when the issue involves legal rights or obligations that require court recognition and enforcement.

Informal Mediation

Informal mediation, while similar in structure, focuses more on communication, understanding, and problem-solving rather than on legal enforceability. This type of mediation is confidential and flexible, designed to help individuals reach agreements that improve cooperation and reduce conflict without involving the court system.

The mediator’s role is to guide the discussion, help clarify each party’s perspective, and support the development of practical and fair solutions. The resulting agreement is typically written down for reference but is not submitted to the court. Instead, the parties rely on personal accountability and goodwill to honor their commitments.

At AMMC, informal mediation is frequently used in community and family contexts where maintaining relationships is a primary goal rather than securing a legal ruling.

Examples of informal mediation include:

Co-parenting adjustments or disagreements: Parents may meet to discuss changes in a child’s school schedule, extracurricular activities, or communication routines.

Household or living arrangements: Family members or roommates might work through disagreements about rent, household chores, or potential eviction concerns.

Financial disagreements: Siblings may use mediation to discuss shared financial responsibilities for a parent’s care or shared property.

Healthcare and eldercare coordination: Family members may come together to decide how to divide caregiving duties or make medical decisions for an aging relative.

Informal mediation is often best suited for situations where trust and cooperation are ongoing priorities and where flexibility and dialogue are more valuable than formal enforcement.

Choosing the Right Type of Mediation

The choice between formal and informal mediation depends on the nature of the conflict and the desired outcome.

If the issue involves legal rights, financial settlements, property, or custody, formal mediation provides a pathway to a binding resolution with court oversight.

If the matter centers on relationship dynamics, communication, or ongoing cooperation, informal mediation offers a supportive, low-pressure environment to build understanding and lasting agreements.

At the Atlanta Marriage and Mediation Clinic (AMMC), we believe that mediation should be efficient, transparent, and accessible. Our goal is to create a structured yet flexible process that supports productive communication and lasting solutions. Below is an overview of how our mediation process works from start to finish.

1. Initial Consultation (Free 30 Minutes)

The first step is to schedule a free 30-minute consultation. This brief meeting allows our mediator to learn more about your situation, explain the mediation process, and determine whether mediation is the right approach for your needs.

To begin, please email william.smith@atlmmc.com with a brief summary of your case or area of concern. You can also schedule a consultation here.

You will receive a reply confirming your consultation appointment and outlining the next steps.

2. Mediation Agreement and Preparation

Following the consultation, each party will receive a mediation contract via email. This document outlines confidentiality policies, session structure, and financial arrangements.

Both parties must review, sign, and return their contracts before any mediation sessions are scheduled.

Our ultimate role is to facilitate the process, not to persuade, locate, or pursue parties to participate. Timely communication between both sides is essential to ensure that mediation begins on schedule.

During this stage, we will also confirm how the cost of mediation will be handled. AMMC charges $200.00 per hour, and the cost can be divided between the parties in any agreed-upon manner (for example, a 50/50 split, or based on another proportion that both parties approve).

3. Scheduling the Mediation

Once the contracts have been received, we will work with both parties to identify a mutually agreeable date and time for mediation.

While AMMC can assist by offering several scheduling options, it is ultimately the responsibility of the clients to communicate and settle on a date that works for everyone involved.

4. Conducting the Mediation

On the day of mediation, the mediator will review the goals of the session, confirm confidentiality, and guide the conversation toward areas of agreement and resolution.

Each session proceeds for the number of hours that have been scheduled in advance. At the conclusion of the scheduled time, the mediator and parties will evaluate progress and determine whether additional sessions are necessary.

The pace and number of sessions vary based on the complexity of the issues and the level of cooperation between the parties.

5. Next Steps and Agreements

If the parties reach an agreement, the mediator will summarize the terms in writing. Depending on whether the mediation is formal or informal, the agreement may be submitted to the court for approval or simply retained as a mutual understanding between the parties.

If additional sessions are needed, we will work together to determine future dates and next steps.

Our Commitment

AMMC is committed to maintaining a respectful, neutral, and goal-oriented mediation environment. We provide structure and guidance, but the success of mediation ultimately depends on the willingness of all parties to engage in good faith and collaborate toward resolution.

Still have questions? We are happy to talk with you to answer questions or see if we are a good fit for your mediation needs. Please feel free to email william.smith@atlmmc.com or schedule a consultation by clicking here.