This page is a general over view of our services, fees, and the mediation process. When reviewing the information please keep in mind that not all issues are listed, some issues will require a different process, and the fees listed do not take into account our sliding fees.
Step Family Issues - issues which arise with a new family are sometimes beyond resolving within the family themselves. Mediation will help the family discuss these tough issues and help them to communicate their needs and develop a plan for the future.
Civil Disputes - when differences arise in the greater community mediation is often recommended. Mediation affords the participants the opportunity to come to the table with a neutral person (mediator) who will help them systematically isolate disputed issues in order to develop options, consider alternatives, and reach a consensual agreement that will accommodate their needs
Divorce - by choosing mediation participants will be working together and with a neutral (mediator) to develop their mediation agreement. Couples will discuss such issues as: parenting arrangements, support issues, budgets, education, employment status, child support, post secondary education expenses, spousal support, property identification and division, tax consequences, name changes, agreement to mediate future issues and the legal process.
Post Decree Issues - after a divorce is final some families will experience changes in their family situation. Mediation will help them discuss these changes and develop an agreement which will help them move into the future.
Parenting Plans - things change and parents realize the need to discuss these changes in a neutral setting. In mediation parents can work together to resolve their differences. Changes which are agreed on may become an amendment to their original divorce decree or become part of their Memorandum of Agreement.
Family Group Decision Making Conferences - families benefit by gathering around the table with their family, kin, extended family, friends and service providers to discuss the future for their children. Families come from various referrals for this service. All coordination and facilitation is conducted by this agency.
Grandparent Visitation - grandparents feel caught in the middle when their adult children go through a divorce or when their grandchild's parents were never married. These grandparents want a relationship with their grandchildren and are not sure how to accomplish this. Mediation will help assist the family in developing an agreement for the future.
Parent-Child Conflicts - when problems/concerns arise between a parent and a child there are several options for the family. Mediation is one of these options to help assist the family in communicating their conflict and working to resolve it with the help of a neutral mediator.
Unmarried Parenting - new parents who no longer have an intimate relationship still have all of the responsibilities of raising their child. A neutral (mediator) will meet with both parents (and possibly grandparents or other family members) to discuss raising the child in separate homes.
Workplace Disputes - it's hard to go to work each day when you are in conflict with your boss or a co-worker. Mediation can be of help by bringing the employees/employer together to discuss what has been happening now and what in the future can be done to make the situation better.
Full Fee Cases: Clients with the ability to pay our full fee are asked to pay at the conclusion of each session. Fees are split equally, otherwise clients mutually agree on how their fee is paid.
Sliding Scale Cases: Cases are based on the individual income of the parties. Cases such as divorce, post-decree, child support, unmarried parents and parent-child fall into this category.
| Service | Service Rate | Administration Fees |
| Divorce | $170.00/hr. | $150.00 |
| Post Decree | $170.00/hr | $60.00 |
| Unmarried-Parenting | $170.00/hr | $60.00 |
| Civil | $185.00/hr | $100.00 (No show $50.00) |
| Parent Child | $100.00/hr | $50.00 |
| Family Mediation | $200.00/hr | $100.00 |
| Family Group Decision Making | $800.00/session |
Administration fee will cover: telephone calls, file set up, preparation of documents, copies and ½ hour review of the completed Memorandum of Agreement. Fees will be collected at the conclusion of each session.
After our initial contact with both parties we will contact one of our qualified mediators and schedule your first working session. During the first mediation session, both participants will discuss and sign the Agreement to Mediate. The Rules of Mediation will then be discussed and agreed upon. When the paperwork is complete and your questions have been answered your session will begin.
The mediator will allow each participant to share what their needs and interests are such as: what happened, how you feel and what you need.
You will now have the opportunity to brainstorm for solutions. Try to resolve your issues by working through it together with the help of the mediator.
Evaluate each of your solutions by asking: Is it safe? How will it make the other person feel? Is it fair? Will it work?
At this point you have done a lot of work together. All of the agreements you have made will be documented in your Memorandum of Agreement. This becomes your plan for the future. This agreement may then be filed in the court by you or your attorney if need be.
Is it working? If not, try to resolve it on your own or call Cooperative Solutions to schedule another session.
