MI-Resolve is a text based program (like typing an email and is not in real time) that provides an efficient and accessible way of resolving disputes for ONLY small claims, general civil, and landlord-tenant cases (but not evictions) in the district court.

Through MI-Resolve, parties can go online to negotiate directly with the other party, or have a Community Dispute Resolution Center (in this case, The Dispute Resolution Center) mediator help them resolve their dispute. If the dispute is resolved, the system produces the necessary court forms for filing in the individual courts. Also, the service is free, involving no cost to the parties or court.

This is a great option for people who are busy with work or families and can benefit from mediation without leaving home, particularly as the state continues to operate under a shelter-in-place order.

Types of cases that have been managed through MI-Resolve, to date:

• Repayment of vehicle and personal loans;
• Non-delivery or quality of goods and services;
• Car accident (attempts to collect the deductible);
• Landlord/Tenant (return of security deposit and disputes over the amount of security deposit withheld, completion of repairs on rental homes);
• Return of private property between parties ending a domestic relationship;
• Completion of repairs or home improvements (contractor/home repairs); and,
• Neighbor use of property that doesn’t belong to them; building fence on neighbor lot.

For other resources about mediation, please view tutorials by the State Court Administrative Office:

For MI-Resolve case questions and/or assistance contact,

Stephanie Myers, email: myerss@washtenaw.org or phone: 734.634.3452. Stephanie's email will change to myerss@thedrcmi.org on May 2, 2022