How
How Much I Charge
I charge the same fee for all cases, whether court-appointed or not. This is easier on my math-challenged brain.
There is a one-time administrative fee of $125, and my fee is $125 per hour, billed in 15 minute increments. These amounts are those mandated by North Carolina statute. All fees are divided equally among the parties, unless otherwise agreed.
The statute also calls for a cancellation fee of $125 (per cancellation), or $250 if the mediation is cancelled (or postponed) within five days of the scheduled date. These fees are only applicable if I find that the cancellation or postponement was made without good cause.
In court-appointed cases, mediators are not allowed to charge for travel time or any expenses. I receive only the administrative and hourly fees. For non-appointed work, however, I reserve the right to bill for expenses and/or travel time.
Please note that failure to pay the mediator’s fee may leave you subject to sanctions by the court, including contempt of court. So please pay up.
How I Work
If you have worked with a mediator before, then you know what to expect. I am there to listen, to ask questions, to shuttle between parties. I am not there to solve the problem, suggest solutions, or judge. The problem is not mine; it is the parties’. If an agreement is reached, great. If not, so be it.
I treat the parties like adults. There are no “rules” as such. I am not a schoolteacher, admonishing students for talking over each other. Other than the initial explanation by each party, I have no set procedure. If the situation seems to need separate rooms, we split up. If not, we stay together. I try to adjust my procedures to the needs of each conference.
If you think what I’m doing isn’t working, or if you would rather do something else, tell me. The idea is for all parties to feel as comfortable as possible, the better to reach a solution. This is a collaborative process.