Our Services

Efficiency – Urgency – Confidentiality

Here you will be able to find a brief overview of the services that we offer. Please contact us to discuss the best Alternative Dispute Resolution process for your situation.
By agreement of all parties in a dispute and/or their attorneys, either before or during litigation, or in lieu of litigation, the Franklin County Dispute Resolution Center offers varous methods to solve, or alleviate controversies. All matters remain entirely private and in the event that a dispute is not successfully settled, unless waived by contract, the parties still maintain the route of using more formal court remedies. However, if a settlement is successfully reached, a written agreement will be signed and shall be legally binding on all parties.

Areas of Dispute Resolution

Here are just a few areas of dispute that we can assist with:

  • Divorce Property (Asset-Debt) Allocation
  • Custody and Visitation Negotiations
  • Litigation
  • Boundary Disputes
  • Contract Matters
  • Personal Injury Settlements
  • Labor Disputes
  • Construction/Building Controversies
  • Landlord-Tenant Disputes
  • Will Contests
  • Mock Trials for Attorneys to help evaluate the merits of a case

For Pennsylvania Standards on Mediator’s Best Practice – Click Here.

What is Mediation?

To find out more about mediation and its benefits, please Click Here!

Mediation is a confidential, voluntary process of peaceful dispute resolution. Our professional staff serve as neutral mediators to help you and the parties that you are having the dispute with find an amicable resolution. Mediation promotes positive communication and, if possible, helps the disputants find a resolution which is mutually beneficial.

The process begins with the mediator assisting each party in positively communicating his or her point of view to the other parties involved, with emotions and reactions being acknowledged. The main issues of the conflict are identified and then discussed with the group. Each disputant has the opportunity to discuss his/her needs and wishes for a successful outcome. The mediation process seeks to encourage mutually beneficial resolutions, with personal responsibility, creativity, and integrity being emphasized. All information discussed with the mediators will remain private and confidential.

Conflict is a necessary part of life. The mediation process takes advantage of a typically negative process (conflict) and seeks to turn it into a positive one! Mediation allows the disputants to express their feelings and thoughts without fear. The mediators remain neutral throughout the process; they will not take sides, assess blame, or tell you what to do. The mediators are here to guide you to a successful resolution

Mediation Process:

  1. Introduction: Process, Duties, Neutrality and Confidentiality
  2. Information Gathering: What happened, why, how; the mediators will ask questions
  3. Issue Identification: What are the main issues in this conflict?
  4. Generating Solutions: How can this issue be resolved?
  5. Agreement: Binding decision reached by the disputants, witnessed by the mediators.

At the end of the mediation process, a contract is drafted by the mediators,describing the resolution as indicated by the disputants. Each relevant party then signs the contract, which is legally binding. This contract ensures that the terms of the resolution are carried out.

What is Binding Arbitration?

Arbitration is a binding form of Alternative Dispute Resolution. In arbitration, a trained expert(s) will objectively assess the dispute and discuss possible outcomes with the disputants. They must agree to follow the resolution that is offered by the arbitrator. Failiure to follow this resolution can result in legal ramifications. Once the arbitrator rules on the resolution, the decision is legally binding.

What is Non-Binding Arbitration?

Non-binding resolution is another kind of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Non-binding resolution is an opportunity for all disputants to discuss the case with a neutral third party, who is usually an expert in the field of the dispute. The expert will then offer a suggested resolution. The disputants are not required to accept or follow the expert’s suggested resolution. This resolution is offered only as a means to resolve the dispute outside of court.

Related Services

In addition to our various Alternative Dispute Resolution services, we have a team of counselors, financial advisors, and many other professionals who are prepared to assist you while receiving services through the Franklin County Dispute Resolution Center. We recognize that these services are often a crucial part of dispute resolution, and we are pleased to make these professionals available to you. From divorce and custody counseling ,to financial planning, we are here to assist with all aspects of your case.

Advice Sessions

We have experts available to discuss situations related to virtually every field. Our experts will offer you advice and guidance in resolving and mitigating disputes. The knowledge that you gain from our experts will allow you to effectively prevent disputes from occurring, and in the event that a dispute does occur, how to effectively resolve the issue.

Negotiation Assistance

Our professional staff can assist you or your attorneys in negotiating your case with other disputants.