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Experienced Construction And Real Estate Mediation In Oakland County

Construction and real estate disputes can delay projects, increase costs and damage business relationships. Contractors, developers and property owners need a way to resolve these issues without a long court battle. The mediation services at Ray M. Toma, PC, help parties work through contract disputes, construction defects and project delays. If you are looking for a construction and real estate mediator in Oakland County, the firm can help you explore your options.

Why Choose Mediation For Real Estate And Construction Disputes?

Mediation offers a way to resolve disputes without going to trial. It can save time, reduce legal costs and help projects stay on track. It also gives both sides a say in the outcome. As a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), mediation can help parties find solutions without a lengthy court fight.

Construction and real estate disputes often involve unpaid bills, missed deadlines, contract terms or poor workmanship. During mediation, each side can explain its concerns and work with a neutral third party to find common ground.

Mediation can also help protect sensitive business information from public disclosure, subject to applicable confidentiality rules and exceptions. This can matter when businesses want to protect their reputation or preserve working relationships. The parties may agree on payment terms, repairs or other steps that address the dispute and help work move forward. For construction defect claims, these discussions may lead to a practical construction defect settlement.

Certified Civil Mediator And Qualified Case Evaluator In Oakland County

Attorney Ray Toma is a certified civil mediator and a qualified case evaluator for the Oakland County Circuit and District Courts. These are two distinct roles in Michigan’s court-connected dispute resolution system, and Mr. Toma can serve in either.

  • As a certified civil mediator, Mr. Toma has completed the training Michigan requires for mediators who handle court-referred civil cases. In mediation, his role is not to decide who is right. Instead, he helps the parties understand each other’s positions, test the strengths and weaknesses of their claims, and work toward a settlement both sides can accept.
  • As a qualified case evaluator, Mr. Toma can serve on the three-member panels that review civil cases and recommend a settlement value. Case evaluators must meet the court’s experience requirements, and their recommendations give parties an informed, neutral view of what a case may be worth before trial.

What sets Mr. Toma apart is that he pairs these credentials with a degree in civil engineering. Construction disputes often turn on technical questions such as structural defects, design errors, building plans or construction methods. His engineering background helps him review technical evidence, identify the issues that matter and explain them in plain language. This can help parties move past competing claims and focus on the facts, whether the dispute involves defective work, unpaid invoices or project delays.

Navigating The Oakland County Dispute Resolution Process

The process depends on the type of case and the court involved. Some parties choose mediation on their own before or during litigation, while in other cases the court refers the dispute to mediation or case evaluation.

In mediation, the parties may meet together, speak with the mediator separately, or both. Sessions are flexible, and discussions can cover payment terms, repairs, revised schedules or other practical solutions that a court could not order. If the parties reach an agreement, it can be put in writing to resolve the dispute.

In case evaluation, each side submits a summary of its case, and the panel issues its recommended award. The parties then have 28 days to accept or reject it. If both sides accept, the case is resolved on those terms. If either side rejects it, the case continues toward trial, but both sides now have a neutral assessment to inform further settlement talks.

Preparing in advance can make either process more productive. Parties generally need contracts, payment records, inspection reports, project documents, and relevant emails or letters. These records help clarify the facts and keep discussions focused.

Need Mediation? Call Ray M. Toma, PC, Today.

A construction or real estate dispute can take time and money away from your work. Call the firm at 248-633-8654 or send an email to discuss mediation or case evaluation with attorney Ray Toma. His civil engineering background and his dispute resolution credentials can help you understand the issues and consider a practical way forward.