Mediation

is a common form of alternative dispute resolution. A primary advantage of mediation is that it provides a chance for the people involved to discover and craft their own solution to their problem and not have it decided by a judge after a long drawn-out and expensive litigation.

A mediator is an impartial facilitator who does not give legal advice, is not a judge, who will not decide a dispute but rather give the parties a full opportunity to express their interests and develop a solution of their own making.

Henry Ambrose is an independent and impartial mediator in Franklin, Tennessee, serving Williamson County and Middle Tennessee. Call today for a no cost consultation: 615-509-9253

Ready to schedule your mediation? Click here.

The Mediator

• Remains impartial thorough out the process.

• Will not give legal advice.

• Is not a judge.

• Will not decide the dispute.

• Will provide each party a full opportunity to express his or her interests.

• May assist in memorializing the agreement.
  
  

Divorce and Parenting Plans

Mediation is often used to develop a plan for the dissolution of a marriage, division and distribution of marital assets, and a parenting plan for the children. The mediator helps the parents come together, clarify the issues, consider the options and reach a worakable agreement that fits the needs of their children.

Mediation can:

• Encourage direct communication between the parents.

• Help parents decide for themselves what is best for their children.

• Explore creative ways to solve problems.

• Promote cooperation.

• Provide an informal setting that saves time and lowers the cost of a divorce or custody lawsuit.

• Maintain the strengths of an on-going relationship as parents.

• Is confidential.

• Allow you to go on with your life.

Civil Disputes

Civil disputes can often be settled in mediation. The advantages include confidentiality, control of the outcome, a shortened time frame to resolution and greatly reduced costs.

Benefits of civil mediation:

• Maintains confidentiality - no public filiings or disclosures of even the existence of a dispute.

• Makes an agreement that settles the dispute in the shortest time.

• Prevents recurring problems.

• Avoids involvement and high costs of the judicial/legal system.

• Improves relationships and communications between the parties.

• Elimnates risk and loss of control.

• Provides certainty and finality.

Henry Ambrose is an independent and impartial mediator in Franklin, Tennessee, serving Williamson County and Middle Tennessee. Call today for a no cost consultation: 615-509-9253

Listed mediator pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31.

• General Civil

• Family

• Specially trained in Domestic Violence Issues
  
  

Read more about mediation here at the Tennessee Courts website:

https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/mediation/resources-public

Ready to Learn More and Schedule Your Mediation? Read on.  

When the parties to a dispute both have a genuine desire to settle, it might be time for mediation. Sometimes disputes are ripe for settlement early on – maybe even before filing a lawsuit. Other times compromise comes slowly and only after extended litigation. In either event, if you believe it is time to stop the struggle, you should consider mediation as a solution.

 For a successful mediation it is vital that adequate factual information is known by all sides. As an example, in a divorce action, this might include each party’s net worth or income documented with tax returns and the appraised value of property. For a business ownership dispute an appraisal of the market value of the business, in an automobile accident, the appraised value of the damaged vehicles, in a personal injury lawsuit, an expert actuarial accounting of the nature of the injured person’s disability. These are just examples, but both parties must have access to complete factual information to arrive at an informed settlement.

Half Day Mediation Session $625.00 per party.

 Preferred time for scheduling half day sessions is 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It is possible to arrange different times as needed by the parties subject to the mediator’s schedule - please inquire.

A half day mediation that does not settle within the allotted time and that needs more time to complete may continue at the rate of $300.00 per hour shared between the parties. These additional fees are due immediately at completion of the mediation.

 Full Day Mediation Session $1,200.00 per party.

Lunch will be provided for full-day mediation sessions, but other arrangements can be made. Preferred time for scheduling a full-day session is 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We may start earlier or later, depending on the complexity of the case, the parties’ travel schedule or other circumstances. We may continue into the evening if necessary. Additional hours after the eighth hour will be charged at the rate of $300.00 per hour to be split among the parties. These additional fees are due immediately at completion of the mediation session.

 Payment.

All mediation fees are due prior to a scheduled mediation via credit card payment or law firm check. Credit card payments can be made on-line on this website. Checks are to be made out to Henry Ambrose. Counsel for the parties guarantee payment of all fees and expenses.

Counsel and the parties agree that if this matter exists in the form of a pending administrative, judicial, litigation or arbitration proceeding or cause of action, the case will not be dismissed until after the Mediators' fees have been paid in full.

 Travel.

Mr. Ambrose is willing to travel within Middle Tennessee to conduct mediations. Your assistance is required in finding a suitable venue for the mediation. Please call to discuss your needs. A modest per diem may be required.

 Cancellation Fees.

No cancellation fees will be assessed for mediations cancelled more than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled mediation. Unless other arrangements are made, if the parties cancel the mediation less than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled mediation, cancellation fees will be charged as follows; for mediations scheduled for a half-day or less, a fee of $600.00 will be charged and split between the parties; and for mediations scheduled for a full day, a fee of $1000.00 will be charged and split between the parties.

 Location for Mediations.

Mediations are generally held at West Main Legal, 1284 West Main St. Franklin, TN 36064, located next door to the Williamson County Administration Building, with plenty of free parking in our private parking lot.

 Before the Mediation – Briefing for Lawyers and Parties.

 It is extremely helpful for the mediator to have full information about each party’s position on the dispute. The mediator needs a factual summary of the dispute and your or your client’s position that can be digested in 30-60 minutes. This pre-mediation preparation by the mediator will save you time and money and can make a resolution happen more quickly. More complex matters may require additional preparation time, be sure to ask about complex cases when booking.

 My suggestion to lawyers is to prepare for a mediation as if you were preparing for summary judgement or a trial – but be brief! Put on your best effort to state your client’s desires and the reasons you think they should be fulfilled. Documents to include might be the complaint or petition, the answer of the defendant or respondent, other important pleadings and factual information you have that would affect the outcome in court, such as discovery responses and documents produced. It might also be helpful if you share any doubts you have about any disputed claims. Please be realistic in your assessment of your case.

 For parties without a lawyer, I suggest you write a narrative of the dispute including all the details you have that you think are important. You might consider this as if you were telling your best friend over lunch about what happened and why you think you should have the outcome you want.

 It is most helpful for you to supply your pre-mediation briefing at least a few days in advance of the mediation date.

 The information you give to the mediator is confidential and will only be shared with your or your client’s permission. So that I know which information is confidential please mark those documents as such.

Schedule your mediation now - Click here.