Noah Mediation Services in no longer accepting private mediation clients except on a very limited basis. See "conflict coaching", "divorcing" and "LBGT" tabs on the upper left corner of your screen.
Noah Mediation Services specializes in disputes involving couples and families and Laura L. Noah has mediated over upwards of 1000 such cases.
Look at the box in the upper left corner of your screen and click on the appropriate tab for more information regarding your particular type of dispute.
Mediation is an alternative form of dispute resolution by which individuals in conflict resolve problems with the assistance of a neutral third-party called a mediator. Mediation differs from arbitration in that mediators DO NOT decide the outcome of the dispute. In mediation, the individuals in conflict determine how they want to resolve their conflict. The mediator assists with this process by allowing for better communication and decision-making.
If you and the person with whom you are in conflict have attempted to resolve your dispute unsuccessfully, you may need the assistance of a third-party mediator. Many people choose mediation as a successful alternative to going to court.
If you want someone to determine the merits of your case, decide your case for you, or impose a resolution on the other party, then you probably need to go before a judge or seek the assistance of an attorney or arbitrator.
Look at the box to your left and click on the most appropriate tab to get more information regarding specific areas of mediation provided by Noah Mediation Services. If you are interested in something not listed, please inquire as to whether or not NMS can provide this service.
It is up to the individuals in mediation to determine the outcome of the mediation and to work toward resolving their dispute in good faith. The mediator will manage the process that will assist them in determining the outcome.
A mediator does not take sides, determine if someone is right or wrong, or judge anyone on what he or she has said or done. A mediator must withdraw from the mediation process if he or she feels he or she cannot be evenhanded or impartial for any reason. Also, a mediator must disclose in advance any actual or potential conflicts of interest and may not proceed with the mediation unless it is agreed upon by all parties.
Individuals choose to participate in mediation on a voluntary basis and may terminate the mediation at any time. However, the mediator will encourage parties to remain engaged in the process even when it becomes difficult as mediation can be emotionally and mentally challenging.
In the State of Illinois, a law mandates that parents disputing over custody and visitation attend mediation. If you have been mandated by the courts to attend mediation, you may choose to seek the assistance of private mediation services upon agreement by the other party, attorneys, and the judge. If the other party does not agree to participate in private mediation, then you must obtain a court order outlining the scheduling of fees and the nature of the dispute if you are seeking private mediation. It is still at the mediator's discretion to determine readiness, appropriateness, and/or whether or not to proceed with mediation.
Everything that is discussed in the privacy of the mediation room remains in the mediation room. If the mediator speaks with individuals separately, she will not share information between them unless she is given permission to do so. Upon mutual agreement of all individuals in mediation, the mediator may provide copies of agreements to attorneys or others assisting in resolving the dispute. Also, if mediation has been mandated by the courts, the mediator will provide dates of attendance in mediation, the classification of agreement that was (or was not) reached in mediation, and a copy of the agreement to judges and attorneys. The mediator cannot be called upon to testify in court.
The mediator is a mandated reporter concerning issues of abuse and neglect of children or the elderly or threats of harm to oneself or others. These are the only exceptions to confidentiality.
As an Advanced Practitioner Level Member of the Association of Conflict Resolution (ACR) Family Section, Noah Mediation Services is bound by the Model Standard of Conduct for Mediators and the Standards of Practice for Family & Divorce Mediation.