The Michigan Mediation Plan for Cases Evaluated for an Amount Not to Exceed $25,000 is a process for resolving disputes without going to court. It is a voluntary, confidential process that uses a neutral third party, called a mediator, to help parties reach an agreement. The mediator does not decide the outcome, but instead helps the parties reach an agreement that is acceptable to both. The Michigan Mediation Plan for Cases Evaluated for an Amount Not to Exceed $25,000 includes two types of mediation: court-annexed mediation and private mediation. In court-annexed mediation, the court assigns a mediator to the case and pays for the mediation. The parties must agree to mediate and the court will order them to do so. The court-annexed mediator is usually a lawyer or a retired judge. In private mediation, the parties choose their mediator and pay for the mediation. The mediator is usually a lawyer, a retired judge, or someone trained in mediation. The parties can choose to mediate out of court or in court. In both court-annexed and private mediation, the mediator helps the parties identify their interests, explore possible solutions, and reach a settlement. The goal is to reach a resolution that is acceptable to both parties and that avoids the costs and delays of a trial.