Fee Schedule

American Mediation Services sets its fees following industry standard guidelines.  Fees are assessed to each party in the mediation.  Parties may consist of multiple individuals represented by one attorney.  Therefore, generally, there are two parties to a dispute even though there may be multiple individuals involved.

A typical mediation is initially scheduled as a half-day mediation unless known circumstances are involved that dictate a full day will be needed.  Half-day mediations are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. or from 1:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.  Full-day mediations generally convene at 9:30 and last until 6:30 p.m. with a 1 hour break for lunch.  Some parties decide to work through lunch and arrangements can be made to have lunch served as the mediation process continues, however this is not recommended.

Fees include all pre-mediation preparations, pre-mediation conferences and communications, lunch for all participants of full day mediations or refreshments and snacks for all participants of 2-hour and 4-hour mediations, and expenses.

Mediations may be held at an AMS location, however off-site locations are gladly considered as long as all parties are comfortable with the location of the mediation.

Do you have a financial hardship?  Click here and read the highlighted text.

Fees for mediation may vary if the case is court appointed as some courts set the mediator's fee in advance. 

A retainer will be required at the time that the mediation is scheduled unless prior arrangements have been made.  Retainers are equal to one quarter (1/4) of the expected fee for the mediation.  There is a $100 cancellation fee (may be divided by the parties) for all scheduled mediations that are cancelled less than 24 hours in advance.

American Mediation Services' fee schedule is as follows:

CIVIL DISPUTES (for all non-family-related disputes unless specifically outlined below)

For disputes involving a contested amount greater than $25,000

• $500 per party for a half-day mediation
• $400 per party for each additional half-day

For disputes involving a contested amount less than $25,000, but greater than $5,000

• $300 per party for a half-day mediation
• $200 per party for each additional half-day

For disputes involving a contested amount less than $5,000

• $200 per party for a half-day mediation
• $200 per party for each additional half-day

DIVORCE MEDIATION

For divorces with child dependents or complex assets (401k, annuities, etc.) division

• Solo Mediator
  • $500 per party for a half-day mediation
  • $200 per party for each additional half-day
• Co-Mediation (2 mediators)
  • $700 per party for a half-day mediation
  • $400 per party for each additional half-day

For simple divorces where there are no dependents or complex assets involved

• $300 per party per half-day mediation
• $200 per party for each additional half-day

FAMILY MEDIATION (non-divorce)

Family mediations including sibling/sibling, parent/sibling, elder issues, dependent issues not relating to divorce, estate division, property rights and inheritance

• Solo Mediator
  • $300 per party for a half-day mediation
  • $200 per party for each additional half-day
• Co-Mediation (2 mediators)
  • $700 per party for a half-day mediation
  • $300 per party for each additional half-day

Marriage Reconciliation

• $75.00 per hour (per couple) charged in one hour increments

COLLECTIONS/DEBT MEDIATION

Depending on the case, many collections and debt mediations can be conducted within a two (2) hour time frame.  Eligibility of a case to qualify for reduced-time mediation is determined on a case by case basis and only when agreed upon by the mediator and all parties involved.

For collections mediation involving unsecured debt and all credit card debt up to $50,000*

• $150 per party for a 2-hour mediation
• $275 per party for a half-day mediation
• $150 per party for each additional 2 hour block of time as needed

For collections mediation involving secured debt greater than $10,000 and up to $50,000* (not including foreclosures)

• $200 per party for a 2-hour mediation
• $300 per party for a half-day mediation
• $200 per party for each additional half-day

For collections mediation involving secured debt less than $10,000

• $150 per party for a 2-hour mediation
• $250 per party for a half-day mediation
• $150 per party for each additional half-day

FORECLOSURES

Fees for mediations involving the foreclosure of residential or agricultural real property (including vacant lots and acreage)

• One half of one percent (.5%) of the appraised value of the property (per local tax assessor's office) for the first half-day of mediation.  This amount may be divided between the lender and the home/property owner.
• .3% of the appraised value for each additional half-day as needed

Fees for mediations involving the foreclosure of commercial real property

• Three quarters of one percent (.75%) of the appraised value of the property (per local tax assessor's office) for the first half-day of mediation.  This amount may be divided between the lender and the property owner.
• .5% of the appraised value for each additional half-day as needed

***At AMS, we understand that hardships fall on all people at different times in their lives.  If you would like your case to be considered for an adjusted amount due to financial hardship or other situation, please call us and we will evaluate your case individually and do our best to work out a reasonable fee schedule with you.

* - For cases involving amounts greater than this, fees will be set on a case-by-case basis