SLBMI Mediation Services >>Mediation FAQs and Tips

Is Mediation Expensive? How Much Will It Cost?

The standard fee structure at SLBMI Mediation Services is presented below. Not all situations where mediation is appropriate can easily fit into this structure. Feel free to inquire or suggest alternatives. Otherwise, this is what to expect: The primary participants in the mediation are responsible for paying the expenses for the services either before or at the time mediation sessions are scheduled. If courts, school districts, unions, businesses, neighbor associations, employee assistance programs or other third parties provide for all or part of the fees for mediation, then billing can be arranged. Unless the participants agree in advance and the responsible party for payment is identified with the method of billing and collection clarified, the general expectation is payment prior or at time of service. This is verbally agreed upon amongst the mediator and participants by telephone in advance of the first mediation session.

Mediation starts with an Initial Session. The cost for the Initial Session is based on a flat fee paid in advance. The charge for the Initial Session is $300. Since most Initial Sessions present two primary participants seeking mediation, the fee is split in half, $150 per participant. (In circumstances where there are more than two primary participants, the $300 is split accordingly). Two hours are made available for this session and participants will probably need the entire two hours to complete all that needs done. In the event that a participant declines mediation once it has been scheduled, prematurely withdraws during the session or simply fails to appear at the scheduled time, the fee for the Initial Session is non-refundable. It is usually best not to exceed the two hours for the Initial Session due to a simple observation. Most people will become fatigued after that long. Any information exchanged or understandings reached after that long and intense a period of time has potential for misintreptation.

During the Initial Session, subsequent services are estimated and payment options are reviewed and selected. These fee arrangements would be included in the “Mediation Agreement” between the participants and the mediator. Each party is expected to pay their share of subsequent service costs at the beginning of each mediation session. The ultimate responsibility for the mediator's fees can be renegotiated between the participants. If or until that happens, mediation costs are calculated and charged to each participant per the “Mediation Agreement”.

There are two kinds of subsequent services to follow the Initial Session:

1. Subsequent Mediation Sessions are scheduled in hourly increments with the option if agreed in advance for a third hour. The fee for a Subsequent Mediation Session is $125. The optional third hour is discounted to $80.

2. Mediator Tasks are outlined in Intermediate Settlement Agreements. This could be any number of activities such as the Mediator preparing additional participants to join the mediation process, working with one or both participants before or after the mediation session to achieve an agreed upon goal, performing tasks associated with materials submitted by the participants, research and information gathering, preparing and delivering Summary Settlement Statements to others. The Mediator has the option to offer the participants a flat fee for specific tasks in lieu of the hourly rate. The Mediator will suggest assignment of these fees to the participants at the time they are outlined on the Intermediate Settlement Summary based on a simple rule of thumb: If the Mediator Task mutually assists the participants to reach a settlement, then the fee is split. If the task only assists one participant and not the other(s) then the fee for the Mediator to do the task is charged to that participant only.

Payment Methods

The cost of mediation is driven by the specific type of mediation requested. Costs can vary widely. Civil mediation issues, such as a dispute between neighbors concerning parking, noise, or pets or between a customer and a business, for example, can generate a Summary Statement at the end of the Initial Session. Total cost: $180.

Family mediation involving parenting decisions, divorce or post-divorce, school placement for children or nursing home placements for elderly parents can require more time and expense due to the complexity of the decisions necessary for settlement. These situations when successfully mediated can cost between $450 to $600.

A divorce settlement can be mediated in three or four visits making the $750.00 bundled services option affordable. Factors that impact these costs are the usual things that complicate relationships: the longevity of the conflict, children and other family members' interests, the value of the any property or possessions in dispute, the emotional and/or physical distance between the participants and how much or how little the participants are interested in doing the "grunt" work of mediation themselves. Couples with a track record of getting along, have been physically separated for a period of time, have been involved in counseling or parent classes together, support and respect each other as parents, keep anger and hurt feelings from derailing the mediation process and have a clear understanding and acceptance of a simple concept: "Best Possible Solution Given the Circumstances"--can mediate a divorce in as few as 4 mediation sessions.

If you have any questions about the financial costs for your specific situation, Contact Us. While mediation is not cheap, its likely to cost you less than its alternative- litigation.

Overview of Mediation and Collaborative Divorce Services Available at SLBMI (PDF)