Frequently Asked Questions for Circuit Court Mediation

• Allows the parties to decide important issues for themselves, rather than having the Court make the decision for them
• Results in agreements in which parties are more satisfied
• Results in a fewer number of parties returning to court to change the conditions of their Final Judgment
• Is highly cost effective and takes less time than going to court
• Is held in a confidential, non-adversarial setting
• Allows more time for parties to try and resolve their disputes
• Avoids the anxiety and other negative aspects of arguing a case in court
• Fosters future positive relationships between the parties

• The parties may reach an agreement on all of the issues in their case. This is produced in a written document and submitted to the judge for approval. Once the judge approves your agreement, it becomes a binding Order of the Court and your case is officially settled.
• The parties may come to an agreement on some, but not all, of the issues. This partial agreement is also produced in writing for the judge’s approval and the remaining disputes in your case will be decided by the Court.
• The parties may not agree on any of the issues, which is called an “impasse”. Your case will proceed through the normal judicial process and be decided by the Court.

County Court Mediation

• Landlord/Tenant cases relating to nonpayment of rent, evictions and other disputes between landlords and their tenants;
• Small Claims cases for damages of $5,000 or less (excluding Landlord/Tenant cases), such as auto and other negligence, contract and indebtedness, and other claims not exceeding $5,000; and,
• Other County Civil cases involving claims of $5,001 to $15,000. These cases also involve negligence, contract and indebtedness, and other county civil claims, but the amount of money at issue is greater than Small Claims cases.

Family Mediation

• Divorce cases (dissolutions of marriage) involving matters such as child support, custody, visitation and parenting plans, as well as spousal support, division of property, assets and debts; and,
• Post-Judgment Modification matters in which one or both divorced parties return to court to change (modify) the conditions of their Final Judgment. These cases may involve changes in child-related issues as well as modification of financial matters decided upon in the divorce.

Juvenile Dependency Mediation

• Dependency cases in which parents are charged with the abuse, neglect or abandonment of a minor child.

• Residential Landlord/Tenant cases: free of charge
• Small Claims cases: free of charge
• Other County Civil cases including Commercial Landlord / Tenant: Will pay the fee of $120 per one-hour session, to be paid equally 50% by the Plaintiff(s) and 50% by the Defendant(s).
• Juvenile Dependency Mediation: free of charge.
• Family Mediation : Fees are based on the combined incomes of the divorcing couples. Please click here for specific costs and payment information. You must pay all mediation fees to the Clerk of Court prior to your scheduled conference date or your session will be cancelled and the judge will be notified for further action. Please refer to your Order of Referral to Mediation for detailed payment information.