Process & fees
What counsel and parties need to know, from scheduling to payment.
Case types
Lance mediates:
- Domestic relations: dissolution of marriage and allocation of parental responsibilities, including temporary orders, final orders, and modifications
- Civil disputes, including:
- Trusts and estates, including probate
- Guardianships and conservatorships
Lance also offers arbitration.
Not sure your matter fits? Email Lance and ask.
Fees
Divided equally between the parties
- Deposit
- NoneNothing is due when you schedule.
- Minimum
- NoneYou’re billed only for actual time.
- Settled early?
- No feeif the case resolves before any preparation time is incurred.
- Admin time
- Not billedScheduling and rescheduling are free.
What’s billed
- Preparing for mediation
- Time in mediation
- Preparing any memorandum of understanding
- Post-mediation follow-up or finalizing settlement, when the parties ask for further help
- Travel
The mediation agreement doesn’t limit a party’s ability to argue for allocation of mediation fees as costs before the court.
Sessions & format
Lance schedules one mediation per day. Pick whichever start time suits you; your session continues until it’s complete.
- Morning
- 9:00 – 12:00or until completion
- Afternoon
- 1:30 – 5:00or until completion
- Full day
- 9:00 – 5:00or until completion, whether before or after 5:00
- Other start times & durations
- By requestNote your preferred start time or expected length when you book.
In person, virtual, or hybrid
In-person mediations take place at counsel’s office. Mediating in person has real value, but Lance has found virtual mediations to be just as effective. They’re sometimes more comfortable for the parties, since each side can be in its own location with counsel, or in a private virtual room with counsel.
Statewide
Lance mediates cases statewide and frequently mediates cases from these Colorado counties:
- Mesa
- Montrose
- Delta
- San Miguel
- Gunnison
- Ouray
- Garfield
- Rio Blanco
- Pitkin
- Routt
- Eagle
Before mediation
- Pleadings and orders, at least 1 day before. Relevant pleadings, motions, responses or replies, and existing orders on the issues being mediated, including any mediation order entered by the court.
- Mediation statement, at least 1 business day before. A confidential mediation or position statement, along with any filings or disclosures you believe should be reviewed.
- Anything else Lance needs will be requested when you schedule.
Send materials to lance@gjmediation.com.
Please don’t send materials late. If they aren’t received, the mediation may be cancelled or rescheduled at the mediator’s discretion.
Payment
Unless other arrangements have been agreed, payment is due at the end of the mediation session, split between the parties. Please bring your payment method to mediation.
- Credit card
- Apple Pay
- Zelle
- Venmo
- Check (in-person mediations)
If you receive an invoice, it’s due on receipt. You can pay invoices online.
- If payment isn’t received within 14 days of the invoice date, the presiding judge or magistrate will be informed and may order payment.
- Attorneys and licensed legal paraprofessionals (LLPs) are jointly and severally responsible for their clients’ mediation fees.
Cancellations
Please give at least 72 hours’ notice. Cancellations made less than 72 hours before the session are charged a cancellation fee of $225 per party, plus any time already spent preparing. The mediator may waive this fee at his discretion.
To cancel or reschedule, use the link in your booking confirmation email or contact Lance directly.
Unrepresented (pro se) parties
When a pro se party is involved, they’ll be contacted only after all parties have agreed to the scheduling request. After scheduling, the unrepresented party receives a confirmation form by email and has 24 hours to confirm:
- that they intend to participate in the mediation,
- that they understand the fees ($225/hour, split evenly and due at the end of mediation), and to provide payment information, and
- that they have read and agree to the mediation agreement.
Arbitration
Private resolution of disputes in an efficient and private setting. Lance arbitrates select disputes; reach out to talk through whether arbitration fits your matter.
Attorney consulting
Beyond mediation, Lance consults with lawyers on case strategy, presentation, and independent case analysis, drawing on his experience as a litigator and district court judge.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay anything to reserve a date?
No. There’s no deposit, and if the case resolves before any preparation time is incurred, there’s no fee at all.
How long will our mediation last?
As long as it needs to. Lance schedules only one mediation per day, so sessions run until completion. You’re billed only for the time actually spent; there’s no minimum.
Who pays, and when?
The fee is divided equally between the parties and is due at the end of the session, unless other arrangements have been agreed. Attorneys and licensed legal paraprofessionals (LLPs) are jointly and severally responsible for their clients’ fees.
Is virtual mediation as effective as in person?
In Lance’s experience, yes. Virtual sessions can be more comfortable for parties, since each side can be in its own location or a private virtual room with counsel. Hybrid sessions are available too.
Is what we discuss confidential?
Yes. Discussions during mediation are confidential, and the parties agree not to call the mediator as a witness. The only exception is when the mediator believes someone may need protection or is in danger of bodily harm. See the mediation agreement for details.
Will the mediator give us legal advice?
No. The mediator isn’t any party’s attorney. Parties can ask for his opinion on certain matters, but that opinion isn’t legal advice. Everyone is encouraged to get their own legal or professional advice before reaching an agreement.
Will you file anything with the court?
As a courtesy, Lance sends a certificate of completion of alternative dispute resolution to the parties, and to the court where it accepts email filing from the mediator. Other reports are submitted only when the court specifically orders them.
I don’t see a date that works. What now?
Dates beyond those shown online may be available. Call or text (970) 335-8831 or email info@gjmediation.com.
Ready to schedule?
See open dates and reserve a morning, afternoon, or full day.