Landlord Tenant Guide - State of Michigan

Parties in a dispute can choose tomediate before or after a lawsuit is filed.Mediation is an alternative dispute resolutiontechnique that is voluntary, empowering,confidential, convenient, effective, andprovided at little or no cost. There are24 mediation centers throughout Michiganthat can be called for assistance.Mediation is:■ A process that helps people to resolvedisputes. Trained mediators facilitate acommunication process that assistspeople in reaching mutually satisfactoryagreements.■ An alternative to destructiveconfrontation, ineffective avoidance,costly litigation, and violence.■ An opportunity for people in conflict touse their own problem-solving skills, totake responsibility, and to find solutionsthat best meet their needs.■ Designed to preserve individual interestswhile strengthening relationshipsbetween individuals and groups.■ An opportunity to learn a successfulmethod for resolving conflicts that canserve as a model for constructivelyresolving future conflicts.THEMEDIATIONPROCESS(1) Any person or organization may initiatemediation.(2) A trained professional will talk with youto determine if your situation isappropriate for mediation. If it is, youwill be asked for basic informationabout yourself and the other person(s)involved.(3) With your permission, the mediationcenter will contact the other person(s)involved to encourage them toparticipate in a mediation session.(4) If both parties agree, the mediationcenter will schedule a mediationsession at a time and place convenientfor all.(5) At the mediation session, trainedmediators will listen to all sides of thedispute. Each party will get a chance toexplain, uninterrupted, their point ofview. The mediator will encouragecommunication from all sides touncover facts, identify issues, andexplore possible solutions.(6) When the parties reach a solution, theiragreement will be put in writing by themediator. It is then a legally enforceabledocument.