Family Law Mediation Rates

Zonder Family Law Mediation Rates

Zonder Family Law, which serves Southern California and is led by experienced Conejo Valley family mediator Lisa Zonder, offers hourly or daily rates for mediation services. Mediation retainers vary, depending on the complexity of the case and other factors including location where the mediation is to be conducted. Mediation parties will generally keep on deposit a retainer of $1000 and “pay as you go” for each mediation session.

Basic Options for Mediation: Hourly or Daily Rates

* Special rates are for mediation sessions only

1. Hourly Rates

The hourly mediation rate for the legal services of Conejo Valley family mediator Lisa Zonder is $280.00 per hour ($140.00 per party).

2. Daily Rates

The daily mediation rate for Ms. Zonder is $1,800.00. If you decide to go with two Conejo Valley family mediators from Zonder Family Law, we will reduce the rate. (The mediation day would be broken down into a four-hour morning session and a three to  3 1/2-hour afternoon session, assuming that a 30 to 60-minute lunch break will be taken after the first session.)

Parties may select a daily rate option if they believe that the time for review, preparation, and settlement will take up to eight (8) hours.

Retention at the hourly rate entails a charge for preparation time in addition to the mediation session time. The attorneys will also continue to be charged at the applicable hourly rate for all hours worked beyond the number of hours reserved for mediation.

If you select the hourly mediation rate option, there is no “daily” mediation rate cap. As such, it is frequently more economical to retain Ms. Zonder on a “daily” mediation rate basis. In addition, the attorneys will be charged an administrative fee of $150 per party (or separately represented group of parties) to cover the costs of setting up the file and administering the case.

Fees

Participating mediation parties or their attorneys (if represented) are responsible for paying any fees; such fees will be split between them in the manner they designate.

Within one week of reserving the services of Ms. Zonder, the parties or their attorneys are required to advance the full amount that is due under the mediation option that is selected. Additional amounts that become due will be invoiced.

Scheduling Daily or Hourly Rates

Mediations reserved on an hourly basis are typically scheduled to commence either at 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. on the day of the mediation. As noted above, where Ms. Zonder is retained for hourly services, she may accept other engagements. If the parties expect to conclude multiple issues, it may be best to select a daily option.

Confirmed Dates

Mediation will be confirmed only after payment in full is received at least one week prior to the scheduled mediation date. For any confirmed daily mediation that is cancelled less than 48 hours before the appointed time, the parties will be charged a cancellation fee of $500.00.

The foregoing information does not apply to mediations that Conejo Valley family mediator Lisa Zonder conducts as a member of a court mediation/settlement officer panel. Lisa Zonder’s mediation firm serves Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Newbury Park, West Hills, Camarillo and surrounding areas.