Start with the specific disagreement
A clear resolution proposal describes the problem briefly and offers terms the other person can accept, reject, or change. Separate your account of the dispute from the proposed compromise. Make amounts, dates, responsibilities, and the scope of the resolution explicit so a positive reply does not hide different assumptions.
Work through the facts, one step at a time
Start with the shared facts
Identify the transaction or event and the point that remains unresolved. Acknowledge any amount or work both people accept. Keep allegations and background proportionate to the decision at hand. You do not need to repeat every disagreement to explain a practical proposal.
Make the offer concrete
State who would pay or perform, the amount or deliverable, the timing, and what would happen in exchange. If there are alternatives, present two complete options rather than a vague range. Explain whether the proposal addresses the entire dispute or only one part.
Invite a specific response
Ask the recipient to identify acceptable terms and propose changes to the rest. Use a reasonable requested response date without implying that silence is acceptance. If agreement is reached, review a complete written version before treating an informal exchange as the final record.
What this can look like
A customer disputes 300 of a 900 invoice. The provider proposes either payment of 750 by an agreed date to resolve that invoice, or payment of the accepted 600 while they review the remaining 300 separately. Each option makes the unresolved scope visible.
This is an invented scenario to explain the approach, not a customer result or a prediction of your outcome.
Records worth gathering
- Brief factual timeline
- Accepted and disputed amounts
- Proposed exchange of obligations
- List of included and excluded issues
Keep originals and prepare copies of the relevant parts. Redact unrelated personal details before sharing. Explain any gaps in the record rather than filling them with assumptions.
Open a clearer conversation
Edits stay on this page and are lost when you leave. Nothing is sent automatically. This is a discussion starter, not a legal notice or settlement agreement.
Before you agree to the next step
Labels such as “without prejudice” or “settlement offer” do not have the same effect everywhere or in every context. Do not assume a proposal is confidential or protected simply because you add a heading. Get advice if admissions, litigation, or a significant release are involved.
Put any proposed outcome into specific terms: who will act, what they will do, the amount if money is involved, and the date. Identify what remains unresolved. An invitation, a discussion and a signed agreement are different stages.
Should I explain why I chose the amount?
Usually a short explanation helps the other person evaluate it. Show the relevant calculation or tradeoff without presenting a compromise as the only possible legal outcome. The proposal should remain understandable even if the recipient disagrees with your reasoning.
A private place to prepare your side
SettleBetween provides private AI guidance for each person and a shared space to discuss approved information. You choose what to share and whether to agree. Availability depends on both parties’ locations and the dispute type.
Free to start. The case starter pays $79 only after both parties sign. The invited party never pays the agreement fee. See included access and pricing.
Prepare your side freeAI can make mistakes. This guide is practical preparation, not legal advice. Use appropriate official schemes or independent advice when needed. A discussion here does not pause external deadlines or guarantee payment.