Refund Policy

Mediation Withdrawal

Withdrawal before Initial Session

  • If a client withdraws from mediation before the initial mediation session begins, a full refund of any mediation fees paid will be issued, minus any administrative, processing, or court filing fees incurred, if any.

    If the Mediator has already prepared or filed a Petition for Dissolution or Legal Separation, coordinated service of process, filed a Proof of Service, coordinated or reviewed financial disclosures, or otherwise performed substantive case preparation so that the case is formally opened or actively in progress, the refund will be reduced by a $1,000 administrative and case-opening fee to cover preparation, filing coordination, financial disclosure coordination, and related administrative work.

Withdrawal After Mediation Has Commenced

  • For purposes of this policy, “mediation time” means cumulative joint mediation time conducted with both parties present, regardless of how sessions are scheduled or labeled.

  • If mediation concludes after the completion of the first cumulative hour of joint mediation, the client is eligible for a refund of up to fifty percent (50%) of the mediation fees paid.

  • If mediation concludes after the completion of two cumulative hours of joint mediation, the client is eligible for a refund of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the mediation fees paid.

  • If mediation concludes after more than two cumulative hours of joint mediation have occurred, no refund of mediation fees will be issued.

  • Refund amounts reflect the substantial professional work performed outside of joint mediation time, including case preparation, document review, communications, and case management. Refunds do not include compensation for professional services already performed.

Early Settlement

If the parties in mediation reach a mutually agreeable settlement before utilizing all scheduled mediation sessions, no refund of mediation fees will be provided. This policy applies regardless of the number of sessions remaining or the reason for early settlement. We encourage early resolution of disputes and recognize the value that comes with reaching a settlement efficiently. While there may not be a refund for unused sessions, the benefits of a timely resolution often outweigh any considerations for reimbursement.

Non-Refundable Fees

Certain fees are non-refundable, including but not limited to:

  • Court filing fees

  • Service of process fees

  • Administrative and case-opening fees

  • Third-party vendor costs

  • Professional services performed outside of scheduled mediation sessions

These fees are incurred immediately and cannot be recovered once services have been initiated.

Request for Refund

Clients must submit a written request for a refund. Refund requests will be processed within a reasonable time frame, typically within 7 days of receipt of the request.

The Mediator reserves the right to modify the refund policy at any time with prior notice, to address changes in circumstances or to comply with legal requirements.