What is mediation?

Mediation is a process in which people who have a dispute they

have been unable to resolve meet with a mediator to try and settle

their dispute. Mediation encourages people to take responsibility

for resolving their own conflicts with the assistance of a facilitated

process, and to learn how to do so on their own if future issues

arise. It does not replace the need for people to independently

seek legal or other professional help if necessary. Mediation is

a process in which people retain more control over the settlement

of their dispute. It reduces the level of hostility and can often save

time and money. The goal is a voluntary agreement of the dispute.

What are the qualifications of the mediators?

Mediators are often attorneys or individuals with counseling

backgrounds. They are professional who have completed atleast

40 hours of training in conflict resolution. You can learn about

What are the fees for mediation?

Mediation fees vary from mediator to mediator and from mediation

program to mediation program. Many charge a one time admini-

strative fee. There is an hourly fee that can range from $20.00 to

$200.00 per hour. Some charge a document drafting fee as well.

Some programs offer sliding fee scales or reduced fees for

low income parties. You can learn about RMS's fees on this site