There are several options for the court system to work with MiADR Center. All options come with different advantages.
NO COST OPTIONS:
Of course, the biggest advantage for the Courts and the Friend of the Court is when more cases resolving.
The simplest way this can be done is by simply allowing business cards with MiADR Center’s phone number and website to be available to patrons to the Friend of the Court in their lobby and hearing rooms. If this option is selected, MiADR Center will order business cards and card stands. All that is required on the part of the Friend of the Court is to advise MiADR Center on how many locations (card stands) are needed. They will be ordered and paid for by MiADR Center. Staff can point out MiADR Center as an option or simply have the cards available without advising the public the cards are available.
Friends of the Court Referees, Friends of the Court staff can also make available “consent orders” where the parties agree to use MiADR Center. MiADR Center can provide a MS Word consent order that the only things that are needed to be added are: Both Parties Names; Parties Addresses; Case Number; Attorneys Names and P Number; What percentage each party is responsible for fees. The parties sign the proposed order, and once the judge sign’s the order, the Friend of the Court forwards the Order to MiADR Center and we take over.
Courts can as a matter of course “order” mediation, and we can provide a MS Word proposed order that is a fill in the blanks. Once MiADR Center is provided the executed Order, we take over
LOW COST OPTIONS:
If the Court as a matter, of course, orders Mediation, the Court can offer parties a low-cost rate by the Courts is responsible for the fees and then collect the same from the parties. This option brings the base rate from $250.00 per hour to $150.00 (per couple). An additional advantage is in January of each year, a report is provided showing how many hours have been paid for and $15.00 per paid hour is placed into an account where the Courts the following year can use said funds to off-set mediation fees for parties the Court selects. This is a great option to help off-set low-income parties. The credit is good for two years.
Resolution Conference ~ Limited Resource:
Some Courts utilize the concept of a Resolution Conference to have the parties try to resolve issues of Custody and Parenting Time. This can be taxing on the resources of the Friend of the Court.
A Resolution Conference further means people are required to come to the Friend of the Court during business hours. The MiADR Center has options for daytime, late afternoon, evenings, and weekends. This could mean the parties are not required to take time off work.
Custom Systems:
A custom system can be set up on a Judge-by-Judge basis. The MiADR Center understands that not all judges are the same, nor do they like to address cases the same way. MiADR is willing to meet with Friend of the Court Staff and/or the Judge(s) to create a system that will work best for each judge. MiADR recommends two 30-60 minute meetings. The first one is to gather information from the Friend of the Court and/or Judges, and the second is to present a proposed system.