That is what this article and mediation are about. You want a solution that preserves the relationship and inspires even more magic. Conflict is not a problem when it is treated as a source of information. Mediation, the ancient practice of resolving disputes with the help of a trained, neutral third party, succeeds by transforming conflict from being a problem into a tool, which reveals information that can be used to resolve the dispute. With the mediator's tools and skills, the parties in conflict are guided toward their own mutually satisfactory resolution.
Mediation promotes positive communication and cooperation by reducing rancor and tensions.
Rather than having a solution imposed, as would be the case using an arbitrator or resorting to the courts, the mediator helps the parties clarify their positions, point out their needs, and create a workable solution of their own while resolving the underlying issues that led to the conflict in the first place. Other benefits of mediation over arbitration or the courts include greatly reduced costs, complete privacy and a safe, confidential environment in which to discuss all issues of conflict and potential resolutions. And, perhaps most important, it allows for preservation of the relationship. It is never too late, no matter how close the court date or how hopeless the situation appears, to bring in a mediator. When you feel that the argument has reached an impasse, the mediator is ready to begin.