Horizon Mediation Services

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Mediation is a voluntary process in which an impartial third party helps interested parties negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. The mediator does not take sides, say what people should or shouldn't do, or decide how the dispute should be resolved.
The mediator may help convene a process, helps constructive communication, and helps structure information-sharing, problem-solving, and consideration of options.

Typically, mediation will take less time than litigation or arbitration.

Mediation offers flexibility in process and structure for generating settlement options.
Mediation can be used before, during, or after litigation, and the process won't affect litigation -- unless parties agree.
Scheduling is arranged for your convenience.

In most cases, everything said during mediation is confidential.
Confidentiality can help cultivate an environment where information can be shared and options creatively explored without negative repercussions.
Mediation allows parties to avoid or minimize public disclosure of private or personal business matters or allegations.

Mediated agreements can be expected to be better informed than decisions imposed by a judge or arbitrator.
Mediated agreements can be expected to be wiser and more durable, and take less time while costing less money than litigation.
By adopting a constructive, problem-solving approach to your conflict, you create an opportunity to stop conflict escalation and avoid further damage to relationships.

If you are considering mediation in your situation, give us a call or send us an inquiry. Initial inquiries are free, and we can help you locate resources and determine if your situation is appropriate for mediation.
Business mediation usually involves the following steps:

A confidential pre-mediation consultation with parties individually.

An Agreement to Mediate sets forth the mediator's role and terms like confidentiality and payment.

The parties gather any necessary information that would be helpful during mediation.

Face-to-face (and/or teleconference) information-sharing, problem-solving, and decision-making meeting(s).
Mutually acceptable agreements are typically put into writing with the mediator and signed by the parties.

Divorce and dissolution rank among many peoples' most difficult and painful experiences. Mediation may be an appropriate option for couples willing to try to work through the experience in a way that is thorough, but least hurtful to one another, children, and the pocketbook.
We organize divorce, dissolution, and co-parenting mediation into four steps:

We ask each of you to complete a "Family Mediation Intake Form" followed by a confidential phone interview.

The Agreement to Mediate sets forth the mediator's role and terms like confidentiality and payment.

The parties gather legal, financial and other information necessary for mediation.
Complete on-line exercises at UpToParents.org if children are involved.

A family mediation involving division of assets and creating a parenting plan often will take 2-4 mediation sessions, 2-3 hours long. A situation involving a few issues may be resolved in one mediation session. We have done mediations that took longer than four mediation sessions. It helps when both parties do their homework, when both parties engage constructively, and when both parties are willing to generate options and consider trade-offs.
Successful mediation processes typically result in detailed written agreements that may be reviewed with attorneys and/or submitted to court when both parties agree.

Our fee is $120 per hour, which usually is split between parties. If parties agree to mediate, there will be an intake fee of $60 per party.
If you are interested to consider divorce, dissolution, or co-parenting mediation further, give us a call (907-283-9227) or send us an inquiry.

When guardianship or conservatorship of a loved one is on the table, families may want to consider the confidential, consensus-building alternative of mediation. Common issues that may come under consideration during mediation include:

Mediation can help family members move beyond surface issues and past conflicts to create plans for frail or vulnerable adults that address the underlying needs and concerns of all involved while striking a balance between safety and independence.

A state grant will cover the cost of mediation through a program administered by the Alaska Court System in the Anchorage, Kenai, and Homer courts.

A petition for guardianship or conservatorship must be filed, or a guardian or conservator must already be appointed.

Request mediation through the court that has the case. If you have an attorney, your attorney may request it for you. A "Request for Court Sponsored Guardianship Mediation" form is available at the court (from the Clerk's Office in Homer or Kenai, and from the Probate Office in the Boney Courthouse in Anchorage), or you may print one from the court website.

Horizon Mediation Services is a sole proprietorship established in 1995 by Heidi and Dan Chay.
We envision creative, self-determining, learning communities collaborating to adapt to the challenges of the next century.
We pursue our mission by assisting individuals, organizations, and communities toward this end -- providing mediation, process design, facilitation, consulting, and training services.
We approach our work and relationships with the fundamental values of respect, integrity, and continuous learning.
We are trained mediator/facilitators with education and experience in the fields of group process, conflict resolution, and creative consensus-building dating back to 1991. As a husband-and-wife team, we bring a unique energy to the projects we undertake as well as two sets of eyes, ears, and hands.

Heidi Chay earned her M.A. in Sociology from the University of Hawaii in 1995 having done her thesis on the mediation of public policy disputes. She also holds a B.A. in East Asian Area Studies from Brown University. Her prior professional experience includes work as a foreign correspondent (China, 1988-90) and public radio reporter.

Dan Chay earned his B.A. in History from Brown University in 1992. He has served on many boards, including a term as President of the Alaska Dispute Settlement Association. He served a term as an elected official on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly (2004-2007). He has a professional background as a bush pilot and commercial fisherman. He also develops internet applications.

We speak several languages, have lived abroad and traveled extensively, and are sensitive to the challenges of intercultural interaction.
Since 1991, we have mediated and co-mediated hundreds of cases including family, adult guardianship, child protection, neighbor-to-neighbor, small claims, victim-offender, business-client, employer-employee, landlord-tenant, partnership, family business, and intra-organizational conflicts. We also have taught numerous mediation and conflict resolution courses.