Your First Consultation is Free
We provide a limited amount of phone counsel at no charge to any of the parties involved in a dispute. Mediation fees are charged on a per-session basis. Typically, sessions are two to four hours, involving two mediators. Participants usually pay an equal share of the fees, unless otherwise agreed upon, or stated differently in a contract or court order.
We Offer a Sliding Scale Fee
Individual fees are adjusted according to a sliding fee scale. Fees are based on the type of situation, the cost, as well as the income of the people or organizations involved. If you can’t pay the standard fees due to economic circumstances, you can apply for a fee reduction. This policy is in accordance with the Revised Code of Washington RCW 7.75.30.
Depending on the case, mediation fees include consultation, a mediation preparation session (approximately one-hour per party), scheduling and administrative time. Communication can take place in person or over the phone.
For workplace sessions between co-workers, the employer typically pays the fee.
% Federal Poverty Level Guidelines Categories
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| Reduced Fee | Reduced Fee | Reduced Fee | Standard Fee | |
| Mediation Fee | $25 per session per household | $75 per session per household | $150 per session per household | |
| Household/ Family Size |
≤ 100% of FPL | 101% - 200% of FPL | 201% - 300% of FPL | > 300% of FPL |
| 1 | $0-$14,580 | $14,580-$29,160 | $29,162-$43,739 | $43,740+ |
| 2 | $0-$19,720 | $19,720-$39,440 | $39,441-$74,579 | $74,580+ |
| 3 | $0-$24,860 | $24,860-$49,720 | $49,721-$89,999 | $90,000+ |
| 4 | $0-$30,000 | $30,000-$60,000 | $60,001-$105,419 | $105,420+ |
| 5 | $0-$35,140 | $35,140-$64,94 | $64,941-$136,259 | $136,260+ |
| 6 | $0-$37,190 | $40,280-$70,280 | $70,281-$151,679 | $151,680+ |
| 7 | $0-$41,910 | $45,420-$80,560 | $80,561-$167,099 | $167,100+ |
| 8 | $0-$46,630 | $50,560-$90,840 | $90,841-$182,519 | $182,520+ |
| The first column, number of people in the household, includes both adults and children. | ||||
| For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,720 for each additional person. | ||||
Standard Fees
The following are the standard fees CMS charges. These fees are subject to change, and may be adjusted depending on the complexity of the conflict and the number of parties involved in a dispute. CMS can provide a quote for specific cases after an initial consultation. Participating parties usually pay an equal share of these fees, unless otherwise agreed upon.
Fees for family, landlord/tenant and neighbor mediations are due no later than 48 hours prior to mediation services.
| Family (Parenting Plans, Elder Care, Parent/Teen) | $250 per party per session. There is an initiating party fee of $50. |
| Small Claims | Mandatory Small Claims Mediation fees are included in court filing costs. There are no extra fees. |
| Neighbor/Neighbor | $150 per person per session + $50 initiating party fee |
| Business to Business Mediation | $250 per business per session + $50 initiating party fee |
| Workplace Mediation | $250 per hour for session and $100 per hour for prep/coordination |
| Other Mediations | Call or |
| Meeting Facilitation | $250 per hour for session and $100 per hour for prep/coordination |
| Workshops | $100 per hour |
| Consultation | $75 per hour |
| Custom Training | Call or |
| Basic Mediation Training | $875 for 40 hour course. Early bird rate is $795.00 |
Refund Policy
When a session is cancelled less than 48 hours of a scheduled mediation by any party, the entire fee for both parties is non-refundable. Initiating party fees are non-refundable.
Training Refund Policy
Full refunds are given up to 2 weeks prior to scheduled training. Within 2 weeks of training, all refunds can be applied to future trainings. No refunds are given after training begins.
Reduced fees are available for low to very low income households. A fee discount application is required to determine the reduction. RCW7.75:
Services to be provided without charge or for fee based on ability to pay.
A dispute resolution center established under this chapter shall provide dispute resolution services either without charge to the participants or for a fee which is based on the participant's ability to pay.
