Mediation
Our mediators help you resolve child custody and parenting time disputes in a timely manner. The process is confidential, and the court only receives agreements that the parties approve. Mediators are qualified by the State of Minnesota.
Benefits for families
Parents remain the decision makers for their children with reduced conflict and court involvement.
Time required
One to two 90–120 minute sessions
Cost of mediation: sliding scale with a maximum of $360
Cost of mediation: sliding scale with a maximum of $360
| Individual annual gross income |
Cost per party |
| $100,000 and higher |
$360 |
| $90,000 – 99,999 |
$270 |
| $80,000 – 89,999 |
$216 |
| $70,000 – 79,999 |
$168 |
| $60,000 – 69,999 |
$126 |
| $50,000 – 59,999 |
$77 |
| $40,000 – 49,999 |
$51 |
| $30,000 – 39,999 |
$31 |
| $20,000 – 29,999 |
$15 |
| $0 – 19,999 |
$0 |
Request mediation without a court order
Once you have requested mediation, you should notify the other party to contact us to proceed with mediation. We are not able to contact the other party on your behalf.
You can enter the other party’s email address to generate a notice of the request and an opportunity to respond in kind.
If the other party completes a request within 14 days, we will contact you both by phone to complete an intake and schedule your mediation.
If we do not hear from the other party, then we can’t provide mediation.
Submit a request for mediation.
Early Neutral Evaluation (also known as Social Early Neutral Evaluation or ENE/SENE)
You will meet with a team of male and female evaluators who listen to each party and provide feedback. Their feedback is based on state-outlined factors around custody and parenting time. That information is then used to help parents reach agreements.
If parents have attorneys, the attorneys must attend. The process is confidential. Only agreements both parties approve are shared with the court.
Benefits for families
Parents remain the decision makers for their children with reduced conflict and court involvement.
Time required
One three-hour session and follow-up sessions as needed.
Cost of Early Neutral Evaluation: sliding scale with a maximum of $550
Cost of Early Neutral Evaluation: sliding scale with a maximum of $550
| Individual annual gross income |
Cost per party |
| $100,000 and higher |
$550 |
| $90,000 – 99,999 |
$451 |
| $80,000 – 89,999 |
$363 |
| $70,000 – 79,999 |
$286 |
| $60,000 – 69,999 |
$209 |
| $50,000 – 59,999 |
$144 |
| $40,000 – 49,999 |
$92 |
| $30,000 – 39,999 |
$51 |
| $20,000 – 29,999 |
$26 |
| $0 – 19,999 |
$0 |
Brief focused assessment
An evaluator works with you to assess questions posed by the court related to your custody or parenting time disputes. The evaluator then provides a report for the court.
Benefits for families
Less time and cost than a full evaluation. Findings can help the court determine what is best for children.
Time required
Multiple appointments over 60 to 90 days
Completion
Includes a report. Uses a sliding scale with a maximum of $1,100.
Settlement
Does not include a report. Uses a sliding scale with a maximum of $770.
Cost per party per completion and settlement by individual annual gross income
| Individual annual gross income |
Cost per party for completion |
Cost per party for settlement |
| $100,000 or more |
$1,100 |
$770 |
| $90,000 – 99,999 |
$902 |
$631 |
| $80,000 – 89,999 |
$715 |
$501 |
| $70,000 – 79,999 |
$561 |
$393 |
| $60,000 – 69,999 |
$418 |
$293 |
| $50,000 – 59,999 |
$277 |
$194 |
| $40,000 – 49,999 |
$185 |
$130 |
| $30,000 – 39,999 |
$113 |
$79 |
| $20,000 – 29,999 |
$51 |
$36 |
| $0 – 19,999 |
$0 |
$0 |
Custody and parenting time evaluation
An evaluator meets with you and family members, gathers information from professionals involved with your family like teachers, doctors, or counselors. The information is used to determine the best interests of your children considering Minnesota law.
Once information is gathered, the evaluator may either:
- Offer a verbal report and an opportunity to settle (fee applies) and/or
- Provide a report to the court (fee applies)
Benefits for families
Court decisions are more likely to be in the best interests of the children.
Time required
Multiple appointments over 120 days
Completion
Includes a report. Uses a sliding scale with a maximum of $4,000.
Settlement
Does not include a report. Uses a sliding scale with a maximum of $1,867.
Cost per party for completion and settlement for custody and parenting time evaluation
| Individual annual gross income |
Cost per party for completion |
Cost per party for settlement |
| $100,000 or more |
$4,000 |
$1,867 |
| $90,000 – 99,999 |
$3,266 |
$1,521 |
| $80,000 – 89,999 |
$2,599 |
$1,213 |
| $70,000 – 79,999 |
$2,013 |
$943 |
| $60,000 – 69,999 |
$1,500 |
$700 |
| $50,000 – 59,999 |
$822 |
$381 |
| $40,000 – 49,999 |
$539 |
$252 |
| $30,000 – 39,999 |
$318 |
$151 |
| $20,000 – 29,999 |
$154 |
$72 |
| $0 – 19,999 |
$0 |
$0 |
Some clients may be eligible for the facilitated settlement conference fee scale. Please speak to your evaluator for more information.