Understanding Mediation Fees

For as long as I have been a mediator, I have provided information on my fees on my website (and I seem to be one of the few mediators who do). Given the expenses involved in separation and divorce, prospective clients often ask how much the whole process will cost. After reviewing files from the past three years, I can comfortably estimate that most families resolve their parenting dispute within three or four mediation sessions. This post explains what a hypothetical client family may expect when they engage in parenting mediation.

Unknown factors can make it difficult to provide an accurate estimate for clients, which is understandably frustrating. For example, special circumstances may necessitate more mediation sessions if a temporary plan is needed, if the conflicts are unusually high, or if including the voice of the child is important.  

Individual intake meetings are required and last between 1.25 and 1.75 hours, with most being an hour and half. Each participant pays my full hourly rate for the time they use.

Mediation sessions with both parties are scheduled for 2.5 hours and may last a little shorter or a little longer. Fees for mediation sessions are shared between the clients, with each party paying half the hourly rate for the total amount of time.

Drafting the Parenting Plan can take between 1 to 2.5 hours, depending on the level of detail and personalization. The cost for this time is also split between the parties.

The table below depicts a sample family’s fees for mediation. Some of these fees may be covered by a supplemental insurance plan that includes social work services.

The best way to find out if my services will meet your needs is read the Questions page of this website and to arrange an introductory phone call.

The fee information on this page is accurate as of August 2025, and any updates to my fees will be shown on the Questions page.