Glen Burnie Mediation Lawyers

Skilled Family Attorneys for Mediation in Glen Burnie, Maryland

If you are going through a divorce or another family law dispute, you might be dreading the prospect of going to court. However, not every legal issue has to end with contentious litigation. A Glen Burnie family law attorney can help you pursue mediation as a way to calmly work toward a solution without the court's involvement.

Mediation has many advantages over going to court. At Zide Law Group, LLC, we are skilled at resolving sensitive interpersonal disputes between parties, helping people come to mutually agreeable resolutions. With our advanced knowledge of the law, we can help to propose possible creative solutions that satisfy everyone involved.

What Makes Mediation Different From Going to Court?

If courtroom litigation can be described as an argument, then mediation is more like collaboration. In mediation, you and the other party can sit down to discuss your issues to try to find common ground or compromise. This meeting is overseen by an impartial third party known as a mediator, who will work to help you reach a settlement.

The one major difference between mediation and litigation is how decisions are reached. Unlike a judge, the mediator has no power to make a final ruling. The responsibility falls to the parties in disagreement to come to a joint decision. Once a settlement is reached in mediation and signed by both parties, it may become legally binding—especially if approved by the court.

In many divorce cases, particularly those involving custody or visitation, a Maryland family court judge may order the parties to attend mediation before allowing the case to proceed to trial. This gives a couple the chance to resolve any outstanding issues standing in the way of their divorce on their own. A divorcing couple can also choose to seek out private mediation on their own without a judge's order.

Benefits of Mediation

One of the more practical reasons people turn to mediation is to keep down costs. Going to court can be expensive when factoring in all of the legal fees, and mediation can often prove to be significantly cheaper. Moreover, scheduling a session with a mediator can be much more flexible than trying to find a court date that works for all parties involved. This can prevent a legal dispute from dragging out for months or even years, letting everyone move on from the issue much faster.

Some people also prefer the less adversarial atmosphere of mediation. If you are still on civil terms with the other party in mediation, you can keep tension low with the focus on compromise. In child custody cases, parents frequently turn to mediation as a way of keeping the peace and avoiding traumatic legal battles.

Arbitration as an Alternative to Mediation

If you like the structure of litigation but also the efficiency of mediation, you may be interested in arbitration, another method of dispute resolution. In arbitration, you and the other party can make your respective cases to an unbiased arbitrator who has the power to make a legally binding decision. This allows for a speedy resolution that avoids the delays caused by unnecessary arguments.

While arbitration is more common in commercial disputes, some family law issues—particularly financial ones—can also be resolved through arbitration. However, Maryland courts may not allow binding arbitration on child custody or child support, as these matters must remain under judicial oversight.

Meet With a Glen Burnie, MD Mediation Lawyer Today

Do you need help resolving a dispute regarding your marriage or another family law issue? If so, Zide Law Group, LLC is prepared to provide you with highly qualified legal assistance. We can help you explore different options to resolve a contentious debate, whether that means going to court or negotiating for a settlement. To schedule a consultation with our Glen Burnie mediation attorneys today, call us at 410-760-9433 or contact us online.