Our "24-7-1" Guarantee:
24 Hours
24 Hours
24 Hours
Reach out and tell us what happened.
One of our intake specialists will review your case and contact you within 24 hours.
7 Days
24 Hours
24 Hours
Based on the specific needs of your dispute, a dedicated mediator will be assigned within 7 days. They will begin working with both parties towards a resolution.
1 Month
24 Hours
1 Month
You receive up to 30 days of unlimited mediation sessions. No rushing, no dragging it out, just focused progress toward a clear outcome.
What to Expect: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Share
Tell us what’s happening—clearly, privately, and in your own words.
This step is how you start the process. You’ll submit a short intake form (and any relevant documents) so we can understand the dispute, the people involved, and what a good outcome would look like for you.
What we’ll ask you to provide typically includes:
- Who is involved (names, roles/relationships, and best contact info for the other party if you have it)
- What happened (a plain-language summary of the conflict and how it escalated)
- What you want (your preferred outcome, what you’d consider “fair,” and what you want to avoid)
- Timeline + urgency (important dates, deadlines, upcoming events, or risk of escalation)
- Key facts and documents (contracts, invoices, texts/emails, photos, policies, prior agreements, demand letters—anything that helps clarify the issue)
- Current status (whether lawyers are involved, whether anything has been filed, whether communication has broken down)
- Practical constraints (availability, schedule limitations, accessibility needs, language preferences, safety concerns)
Step 2: Speak
A real person reaches out within 24 hours to learn more and map next steps.
Within 24 hours, our intake team contacts you to discuss the dispute and assess whether Smarter Mediation is a good fit. This is not a scripted call—we ask targeted questions to understand the situation, the power dynamics, and what will realistically move the dispute toward resolution.
During this conversation, we typically cover:
- The core issues in dispute and what each side likely cares about most
- Any concerns about communication, safety, intimidation, or imbalance
- Whether there are non-negotiables or legal constraints we should flag early
- What “success” looks like for you (not just legally, but practically and emotionally)
- Whether the other party is likely to participate voluntarily—and how to invite them effectively
- Expected timeline: whether you want a rapid resolution or a paced approach
- Logistics and format preferences (text vs. email. vs. video, asynchronous options)
Step 3: Engage
You’re assigned a mediator, and we begin actively moving the dispute toward resolution.
Once you choose to move forward, you’ll be assigned a mediator—typically within 7 days (often sooner). Your mediator is not a passive facilitator; they take the lead in structuring the process, maintaining momentum, and guiding both parties toward a fair, workable outcome.
Engagement usually includes:
- Orientation and expectations
The mediator explains how the process will work, what confidentiality means, how communication will be handled, and what productive participation looks like. - Information gathering and issue-mapping
The mediator identifies the key issues, what’s driving the conflict, what each party needs, and where the “real blockers” are. - Separate conversations (when helpful)
The mediator may speak with each party separately to understand goals, constraints, and concerns—especially where emotions are high or communication is strained. - Joint sessions (when productive)
The mediator brings parties together when it will help build understanding and move toward agreement. - Option generation and negotiation guidance
The mediator helps create options, test proposals, reality-check expectations, and steer the parties away from unproductive posturing. - SMART Method focus throughout
The process is guided by Speed, Mutuality, Adaptability, Results, and Transparency—meaning it stays efficient, balanced, flexible, outcome-driven, and clear.
Step 4: Resolve
We turn agreement into clear terms, written documentation, and follow-through.
Resolution means more than “we agreed in principle.” Smarter Mediation focuses on outcomes that are clear, durable, and actionable—so the dispute actually ends, not reappears later.
This step typically includes:
- Finalizing the agreement terms
The mediator ensures the resolution is specific: who will do what, by when, under what conditions, and what happens if something doesn’t occur. - Written documentation
Agreements are put in writing so there is no confusion later. If desired, parties can take the written terms to counsel for review or formalization. - Implementation planning
The agreement includes practical next steps: payment schedules, deadlines, delivery methods, return of property, behavioral commitments, or future communication rules—whatever the dispute requires. - Closure and confirmation
The mediator confirms that both parties understand the agreement, consent to it, and feel it is workable—not just theoretically fair. - Follow-through support (when needed)
Some cases benefit from a short follow-up check-in or structured next step to ensure the resolution is actually implemented.