Civil Mediation

What Is Civil Mediation?

Civil mediation is a voluntary, confidential process in which a neutral mediator helps disputing parties reach their own resolution, rather than having a judge or jury decide the matter for them. Mediation does not replace the advice of independent counsel, and any agreement reached is only binding once reduced to writing and signed by the parties.

This package is designed for civil controversies pending in, or appropriate for, county court, generally involving amounts in controversy under $50,000. It is well suited to landlord-tenant disputes, security deposit and eviction-related claims, small business and contract disputes, neighbor and property disputes, consumer claims, and other county court civil matters.

The mediator does not represent either party, does not take sides, and does not provide legal advice to either individual. Instead, the mediator's role is to facilitate a productive, respectful conversation, help identify the real issues in dispute, and guide both parties toward a workable resolution.

Litigation can take months or years and often deepens conflict along the way. Mediation, by contrast, is designed to resolve matters efficiently, cooperatively, and with far less expense, while still producing a clear, written document both parties can rely on.

As a child psychologist, trauma-informed professional, Guardian ad Litem for over 20 years, and now attorney and mediator, I bring both clinical and legal experience to every mediation. I understand the law, but I also understand the dynamics of conflict, communication breakdowns, and what it takes to help two parties move from dispute to resolution.

Why Choose the Package?

This package is designed for parties who want a structured, efficient path to resolution without the cost and delay of prolonged litigation. It offers a single, predictable flat fee, a defined process from intake through final memorandum, and the guidance of a mediator who understands both the legal issues at stake and the practical realities of the dispute.

What's Included

  • •     Flat fee: $500

    •     One confidential intake call with each party or respective counsel (up to 20 minutes each)

    •     One mediation session (up to 2.5 hours)

    •     Settlement agreement delivered within 3 business days of the mediation session

    •     One minor revision to the agreemeny if requested

What's Not Included

  • Legal advice or representation for either party

  • Appearance in court or preparation of pleadings

  • Additional mediation sessions beyond the initial 2.5-hour session

  • Substantive revisions to the agreement beyond one minor revision

  • Ongoing case management, coaching, or continued communication beyond the scope of this package

  • Drafting or filing of a final settlement agreement or release for the court (available by separate agreement)

Additional services are available by separate agreement.

Communication Policy

To keep this package efficient and its flat fee sustainable, communication outside the scheduled intake calls and mediation session is limited as follows:

  • Substantive communication — meaning any discussion of case details, positions, or the terms of a potential agreement — is reserved for the scheduled intake calls and the mediation session itself. It is not conducted by phone or email in between.

  • Scheduling and administrative emails (confirming appointments, sending documents, etc.) are welcome at any time, but repeated calls or emails seeking updates, advice, or informal input outside of scheduled sessions cannot be accommodated within the flat fee.

  • Post-mediation follow-up is limited to delivery of the agreement and one minor revision, if requested, within a reasonable time after delivery. Requests for additional changes, renegotiation, or ongoing support after the agreement is finalized fall outside this package and may require a separate agreement.

This policy exists so that every client's time in mediation, and the resulting document, receives the same focused attention, without the process being extended informally through piecemeal calls and emails.

How It Works

1.

Scheduling or Consultation

Parties are welcome to schedule their mediation here. The system will prompt you for supporting documents and details. You can pay for your session through this same platform. Cancellations or rescheduling are available at no charge anytime prior to 3 days prior to the session.

If you'd like to learn more about the process first and confirm mediation is the right fit before committing, a 30-minute Mediation Inquiry call is available for $250.

Schedule a Mediation Inquiry

2.

Egagement Agreement

Once both parties confirm they'd like to proceed, each party will receive an email with three steps to complete before mediation begins:

  • Sign the Mediation Engagement Agreement

  • Pay the $500 flat fee (payment may be split between the parties)

  • Complete a confidential online intake questionnaire

Mediation will not be scheduled until both parties have signed the Engagement Agreement and the flat fee has been paid in full.

3.

Intake Calls

Each party participates in a separate, confidential intake call (up to 20 minutes) prior to the mediation session. These calls allow me to understand each party's perspective individually, confirm mediation is appropriate, and prepare to make the joint session as productive as possible.

4.

Mediation

The mediation session itself runs up to 2.5 hours. Both parties meet together (in person or virtually) to work through the issues in dispute with my guidance as a neutral facilitator, with the goal of reaching a mutual, workable resolution to some or all of the outstanding issues.

5.

MOU

Following the session, I prepare a written Memorandum of Understanding reflecting the agreements reached, delivered within 3 business days. Each party may request one minor revision if something needs to be clarified or corrected.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The MOU produced through this package is not, by itself, a binding legal contract or court order. Many parties take the MOU to their respective attorneys to be formalized into a binding settlement agreement or stipulation for filing with the court.

  • Mediation does not require either party to have an attorney, but I strongly encourage each party to have independent legal counsel review the MOU before it is signed or submitted to the court, since I do not represent either party and cannot advise either side.

  • Many parties resolve most or all issues within the 2.5-hour session. If additional time is needed, further sessions can be scheduled under a separate agreement outside this flat-fee package.

  • Mediation is voluntary and works best when both parties are genuinely willing to participate. If one party is not ready, I'm happy to discuss whether this package is the right fit during the initial consultation.

  • This package can be used for any county court civil matter under $50,000 appropriate for mediation, including landlord-tenant disputes, security deposit and eviction-related claims, small business and contract disputes, neighbor and property disputes, and consumer claims.

A clearer path begins with a conversation.

Request a consultation to determine the right next step for your family, case, organization, or professional audience.