WHAT IS MEDIATION: the attempt to settle a legal dispute through active

participation of a third party (mediator) who works to find points of agreement and make those

in conflict agree on a fair result

WHY SHOULD I MEDIATE: Mediation allows the participants to devise their own

court order that meets their individual and family needs with little to no input from the court

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEDIATION:

 Cuts litigation costs dramatically

 Attorneys are not required

 Parties are less likely to violate mediated agreement

 You have a say in the outcome of your dispute

WHO PARTICIPATES IN MEDIATION: Generally, the two people or entities that

have the dispute participate along with a designated mediator. Parties may or may not

have attorneys present.

WHEN DOES MEDIATION TAKE PLACE: Designated times and a place for

mediation can be selected by the participants or the court decides when and where it will

take place. * Mediation through the Law Office of Dorothy Ferguson can be completed

on site or via videoconferencing by selecting a day and time that works best for all

participants.

HOW DOES IN-PERSON MEDIATION WORK: Each participant fills out an intake

sheet and schedules mediation. At your mediation session, the mediator will start with

both parties in the room and depending on the conflict may separate parties into rooms.

Mediator will shuffle between rooms until an agreement is reached. After an agreement

is reached, the mediator will draft an agreement, have both parties review, and sign the

agreement. If the dispute involves a dispute with the court, the Mediator will submit

mediated agreement to court and obtain court approval. Your mediated agreement will

then become a court order.

HOW DOES VIDEO MEDIATION WORK: Each participant fills out an intake sheet

online, submits, and participants schedule mediation online. Participants will be

provided a link to zoom conferencing and calendar invite for their mediation. At the

designated time, parties will conference in via zoom to begin mediation. Both parties will

appear on the video screen along with the mediation. The mediator has the ability to

separate parties into rooms via video if the need should arise. After an agreement is

reached, the mediator will draft an agreement, have both parties review via email, and

sign the agreement via docusign. If the dispute involves a dispute with the court, the

Mediator will submit mediated agreement to court and obtain court approval. Upon

approval of the Court, the agreement will become a court order.

HOW MUCH DOES MEDIATION COST: The cost of the mediation depends on the

amount of time selected but mediation is $150.00 an hour. Example: If you select two (2)

hours for mediation then the cost would be $300.00. Generally, the cost is divided between the two participants or the parties can decide who will pay for the mediation.

Cost of the mediation can be paid online, through paypal, over the phone, or in person,

whichever works best for the individuals. The fee must be paid prior to the start of the

mediation.

HOW DO I GET STARTED: Start by filling out in the intake form. Next, submit your

intake form either in person or via email. Next, chose between in-person mediation or

video mediation. Then schedule a time for mediation with the scheduler through this

website. Finally, pay for your mediation. Your all set.