10 Tips for Resolving Business and Family Disputes

The Zeytoonian Center for Dispute Resolution Reveals 10 Tips for Resolving Business and Family Disputes

Wellesley Hills and Westborough, Mass. – September 15, 2009 – As the recession takes its toll, individuals and businesses are increasingly seeking legal advice as they deal with employment, financial, and family issues and disputes. At the same time, they are faced with decreased incomes and revenue streams. Now, more than ever, it makes sense for businesses and individuals to consider alternative dispute resolution (ADR), which is typically faster, less expensive, more efficient, less adversarial and more flexible than a court process or arbitration.

Michael A. Zeytoonian, Founding Member of the Zeytoonian Center for Dispute Resolution, reveals the following ten tips for resolving business and family disputes using alternative dispute resolution:

1. Statistics show that 98 percent of the cases that get filed with the courts settle before going to trial. The costs and fees incurred in court cases can be considerable and can drain your business, organization or family of its assets, so it’s better to focus first on settlement by design from the outset.

2. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) describes a number of methods used to resolve disputes out of court, including Mediation, Arbitration, Collaborative Law, Case Evaluation, Ombuds Services and others. The common denominator of all ADR methods is that they are typically faster, less expensive, more efficient, less adversarial and more flexible than a court process or arbitration.

3. For the most efficiency and effectiveness in reaching a more lasting resolution, you should first consider using an ADR process early in the dispute, before filing any court papers.

4. The key to reaching a good resolution of a dispute is to utilize the approach and process that is most appropriate and efficient for your specific situation.

5. Because they foster mutual respect and openness between the parties in a dispute, mediation or Collaborative Law are better dispute resolution processes to use when preserving relationships between the parties involved is important. This is usually the case with business partnerships, employer-employee disputes, and business relationships with long-term suppliers and vendors, which, like family disputes in divorces or elder care decisions, also have family-like characteristics.

6. The collaborative process focuses on, recognizes and understands each party’s needs, interests, concerns and goals, allows all parties to be heard throughout the process.

7. Most alternative dispute resolution processes keep the control of the process and the decision-making in the hands of the clients, rather than those of a judge, a jury or an arbitrator.

8. Most ADR processes focus on working to identify and satisfy the interests of the parties and to achieve a win-win result, rather than engage in a battle that can only produce a win-lose outcome. Solutions are mutually beneficial.

9. One feature of most ADR approaches is that they are confidential processes. The details of your dispute are kept private and the dispute does not become part of the public record.

10. Mediation and Collaborative Law can offer parties in a dispute more options and opportunities to develop solutions that are tailored for their situations, circumstances and needs. This means that you are not bound by a “one size fits all” resolution.

About Michael Zeytoonian
Michael Zeytoonian, a lawyer and mediator, is the founding member and director of the Zeytoonian Center for Dispute Resolution, LLC in Westborough and Wellesley.  He maintains a blog at http://www.disputeseresolutioncounsel.com and can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

About the Zeytoonian Center for Dispute Resolution, LLC
The Zeytoonian Center for Dispute Resolution provides legal and dispute resolution services that are preventive, proactive, efficient and collaborative. Our early intervention services work proactively to help clients anticipate problems that arise in organizations and put policies, procedures and training programs in place to engage, manage and diffuse problems and prevent them from escalating into disputes or claims. Utilizing the talents of lawyers, mediators, expert consultants and coaches, our dispute resolution services are designed to efficiently offer the kind of advocacy that protects clients’ rights, educates them on the best approach to their dispute, and helps them achieve a resolution that satisfies their interests. The Center has offices in Wellesley Hills and Westborough, Mass.

For more information, please visit http://www.zeytooniancenter.com or contact the Zeytoonian Center at (781) 489-2270.
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