Stephen Michael Gaddis

Having served over 27 years as a judicial officer (now retired) I have learned that the best resolution to issues must come from the parties themselves. Mediation is a process that is private, efficient, effective and retains the decision-making to the parties -- leading to greater satisfaction and finality.

Since retiring after 27 years on the bench, I firmly believe that the parties are the ones best situated to make the best decisions in their own cases.

Further, the court system has become so complex and expensive that few can truly afford it.  And when they can, they may be surprised as the core value of the court system is consistency (precedent, equal protection) rather than what is best for the parties before it.  While this may be fine for the Criminal system, with its well-defined parameters, it is not helpful in the Civil area and simply not effective at all in the Family and Probate areas.  Court is truly the last resort