As a contractor having a significant dispute with a client, you may think the following are your only options:
- Fight it out
- Withdraw services
- Head to small claims court with a lawyer, paralegal or as a self-rep.
The reality of the post-Covid situation with nearly all courts is that it could be years for you to get your “day in court,” and fighting it out or withdrawing your services doesn’t necessarily get you paid or resolve the issue. It could even damage your reputation and impact future work.
If you choose to take a client to small claims court, it will cost between $300 to $500 to file the various forms and paperwork needed to get a future court date. If you add on the cost of a paralegal or lawyer, you’re likely adding several thousand in additional expenses based on the level of complexity of your case. And what about the lost time going through this when you could be making money?
Is there another way to save time and cost while participating directly in how the process is resolved?
Yes, that’s where mediation comes in.
Mediation is cost-effective, allows you to select the mediator who is a good fit for your case, and should take under a month to conclude the process to get to a resolution. It gets you and the client talking to create a solution that gets you each what you need to move on.
To recap…Potentially take years going through the court process, anywhere from $300 to several thousand, for the chance to recoup your lost revenue and no assurances that you’ll win OR work with us to make mediation part of your solution to these types of disputes.
Not sure where to start, or do you have questions about the process? Families First Mediation offers a free 15-minute consultation.
Visit www.familiesfirstmediation.com to book your meeting now, or call Robert at 647-692-7744 for more information.
