"Providing Professional  Mediation  Services and Training Since 1992"

NEIGHBOR-TO-NEIGHBOR MEDIATION

Tulsa, Ok 11-10-2006 -- A property dispute in Skiatook results in the death of four men and leaves the community wondering how this happened. The simple truth is this tragedy could have been prevented.

Many of us have disputes with friends, relatives, or neighbors that can cause a serious rift in relationships. "Dogs barking, property boundaries, loud noise, children, trash, and parked cars are just a sample of neighbor-to-neighbor issues we deal with", say Brenda Spencer and Shelly Kamm of The Mediation Institute of Tulsa. While these types of disputes don’t always end so tragically they do leave you wishing you could build a wall, ring it with a moat and make all your neighbors just disappear. "The problem is how to deal with the issues and still preserve the relationship for the future" says Spencer. Some disputes do end up in court but this is a time consuming, risky, and expensive prospect that will often make matters worse; since it is very hard to maintain, much less repair, a relationship after a lawsuit. This is a huge problem when the dispute is with family members or neighbors and sometimes ill feelings may lead to other disputes in the future. And what if the issue isn’t even a legal issue? You still have the problem, emotions, and nowhere to turn for a solution. This is where using mediation to solve disputes is a great solution.

"When people are in conflict, they are often unable or do not care to hear each other’s needs and concerns", says Kamm. Mediation can provide a neutral forum where people can speak to each other, express their feelings and hear the position of the other party. This type of environment can allow creative solutions that will benefit both parties and avoid future conflict. Mediation is well suited for neighbor disputes for a number of reasons.
First, unless someone moves, neighbors have to live with each other for a long time and mediation gives disputants an opportunity to repair the relationship. Second, although you cannot take a tree or fence into a courtroom, a mediator can come to the neighborhood to view the nature of the dispute. Third, since neighbor disputes may not involve large monetary damages, and a lawsuit can be cost prohibitive. Finally, mediated agreements are a cost effective, respectable and timely way to resolve issues and turn your battle ground back into your home sweet home.

For more information about the benefits of mediation call 918-877-1427 or visit www.TulsaMediation.com
 

The Mediation Institute of Tulsa offering Mediation services in Family, Domestic, and Civil issues.