Where you can begin a legacy of peace.

Facilitative resolution to your most difficult issues.

Mediation

Two people from different backgrounds coming to a peaceful resolution.

Mediation is a neutral process where parties discuss and resolve disputes in a win-win manner, with a mediator facilitating dialogue. Parties share views, propose resolutions, and may gain new perspectives. Agreements are documented for future reference.

What is Mediation

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Our situation is complex!

We do not fear the complex! We know how trying this time can be for all parties involved and want to help facilitate the best resolution through communication focused on the future and building a legacy of peace. This is the way we believe, as humans, we can overcome the negativity of the situation and deal with the positive outcomes in the potential. But it also depends on all parties involved. We have to be open and motivated to resolve for the future!

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This is difficult to answer. As we don’t know your specific situation, it is better if you contact us for a free, brief consultation to see if your case is best for mediation. This will help determine if you can resolve this on your own or if you will need to have a third party neutral such as a mediator or judge involved. Most judges are trained lawyers and have been in practice for a number of years. Most mediators have specialized training and advanced degrees in mediation, peacemaking, alternate dispute resolution, and/or areas of counseling/social work.

Can’t we just do this ourselves?

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No, not at all and no mediator should be providing you with legal advice, even if they are attorney’s by career. However, we do have over a decade in the legal field and over two decades in analysis and investigations. We have training in counseling, communication, mediation, and have graduate degrees from one of the nations largest institutions of higher learning.

Are you an attorney?

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I have an attorney…

I have an attorney:

  1. They want me to mediate! Great, ask if they would like to join you in mediation. Ask if they would like to review your agreement should you come to one.

  2. They don’t think I should mediate! Ok. It’s okay for an attorney to not believe in the benefits of mediation and, frankly, some cases are not appropriate for mediation. If this is the case, we would ask you to work with your attorney (let’s be frank, that’s what you’re paying them for) and if you still believe that you would like to mediate, ask them for their opinion as to why you should/shouldn't as we cannot and will not provide legal advice.

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Mediation lets you discuss issues with a neutral third party to resolve conflicts calmly, affordably, and with a focus on future goals.

How does Mediation benefit me/us?

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We want to be clear with you, upfront. Divorce, custody and visitation, and support matters are never easy or “cheap”. Nor is any other matter that may be mediated. This is because it takes a toll on everyone involved. However, the cost for mediation can be significantly less than other options. If your issue is very contentious and you truly believe you cannot come to any agreement, please contact us and we will refer you to a service which may be best suited to assist you. Scheler Mediation Services, LLC is very affordable for all and can work with you, based on proof of income, should you need mediation and payment may be an issue.

We don’t have much money, how can we afford this?

Silhouette of a woman standing indoors near a window, with sunlight coming through the window, revealing an outdoor scene with trees and a building.

We recommend contacting the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.SAFE (7233) or thehotline.org as well as, if you believe there is active abuse please contact 911 immediately and seek out shelter from a local domestic violence shelter who can provide services, care, and shelter for all involved persons and children.

I believe I, or my children, am being abused or have been abused.

I REALLY need to speak to an attorney before I make any decisions or have an attorney review my document.

We will provide two possible resources here. There are many others, but these two are low cost or free from some or most of the population.

The first is the Virginia State Bar Referral Service. With this service you are provided a 30 minute consultation for $35 (as of Jan 2023). They can be found here: https://vlrs.community.lawyer.

The second is Virginia Legal Aid.org. This website provides various articles regarding legal topics as well as information regarding your closest legal aid society. Their website is https://www.valegalaid.org. For the Northern Shenandoah Valley, this organization is Blue Ridge Legal Services.

Lastly, Virginia Courts Self-Help: https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov

We welcome and always recommend you have an attorney advise you. While we are providing the two above resources, we do not necessarily advise utilizing one or the other and have no relationship with either. There are plenty of legal services throughout Virginia and your preference is always best for you.

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About SMS

We offer an environment that is open to communication, open to peace, and open to resolution! Our goal is for all parties to find a space to speak, be heard, and find a common place in which to resolve their issue at the lowest possible cost and in the shortest possible time.

Here’s what other’s have to say…

100% of clients, to date, agree that Scheler Mediation Services, LLC creates a successful, professional, money-saving mediation experience. All clients report that they would recommend Scheler Mediation Services, LLC to others and that upon exiting mediation that they have no unaddressed concerns.

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100% of clients, to date, agree that Scheler Mediation Services, LLC creates a successful, professional, money-saving mediation experience. All clients report that they would recommend Scheler Mediation Services, LLC to others and that upon exiting mediation that they have no unaddressed concerns. 〰️

Anonymous Client

“Jeremiah…did a fantastic job. I strongly recommend them to anyone that is going through a custody order.”

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Satisfied Mediation Party

“Thank you for your time. Your hard work is appreciated.”

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Court Referred Client

Fantastic job. Above and beyond to get our mediation initiated, drawn up, and recorded very quickly. Less than 2 weeks start to finish! Amazing. So glad we got to work with Jeremiah! I would recommend him and his services to anyone!

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Clients Counsel

“This is the most thorough Mediation I’ve been involved in in all my time as an attorney.”

Give your future a legacy of peace starting today.

We offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation to determine whether your case is appropriate for mediation. Contact us via phone, text, or email to begin your path to peace today!