Common questions
Ask anything. Here is what people usually ask first.
Mediation is a private, voluntary conversation guided by a neutral person where you reach your own agreement. At Salt City Mediation it happens by video, costs $200 per hour plus a $35 admin fee, and most matters finish in one two-hour session.
If your question is not here, the free 15-minute consult exists for exactly that. Nothing below is legal advice.
What is mediation, in plain terms?
A private conversation guided by a neutral person, where the two of you reach your own agreement. The mediator helps you hear each other and work through options. The mediator does not decide anything, represent anyone, or give legal advice.
What kinds of disputes do you mediate?
Co-founder and business partner disagreements, small claims and money disputes, and family or relationship matters that are not court-ordered, such as couples, co-parents, roommates, and adult siblings. If your matter is not a fit, we will say so in the free consult.
Is mediation the same as arbitration?
No. In arbitration a third party hears both sides and decides. In mediation you decide. Mediation is voluntary and either person can stop at any time. The guide on mediation versus arbitration goes into the differences.
Does mediation actually work?
Often. Research generally finds that roughly 70 to 80 percent of mediations reach an agreement. That is a range and a strong tendency, not a promise. How ready both people are to talk shapes the result more than anything else.
What happens in a session?
The mediator opens and explains the ground rules. Each person says what matters to them, uninterrupted. Together you set the list of what to solve, then work it one item at a time, with private conversations when they help. What you agree to is written up and signed on the call.
How do I prepare?
Gather the documents that matter, think about what you actually need rather than only what you want the other person to do, and try to name how the situation has landed for you. The short private conversation with the mediator before the session is part of preparing too.
Is it really online? How does that work?
Yes. You each join a video session from wherever you are comfortable. The mediator can move each of you into a private breakout room and step between them. The agreement is drafted and signed on the call. You need a quiet room, a camera, and a steady connection.
What is a caucus?
A private, confidential conversation between you and the mediator during the session. It is used to lower the temperature, say something that is hard to say in front of the other person, or quietly test an option. Nothing from it is shared unless you agree.
Can either of us stop?
Yes, at any time. Mediation is voluntary from start to finish. The mediator can also end a session if it is not working. If you stop without an agreement, you keep every option you had before.
What does it cost?
$200 per hour plus a one-time $35 admin fee, with a two-hour minimum. A typical first session is $435, usually shared between the two people. A second session, if needed, is $400 with no second admin fee. The consult beforehand is free.
Who pays, and how do we split it?
One person books and pays online. Most people split the cost equally and settle up privately. If the split itself is in dispute, it can be the first item on the list.
How does this compare to court?
Court is the expensive path. A contested divorce handled through litigation commonly costs $15,000 to $30,000 per spouse in Utah, while divorce mediation usually totals $1,500 to $8,000. Small claims cases are typically set for trial 30 to 60 days after filing. These are estimates, not legal advice.
Is the agreement legally binding?
Generally, a written agreement that both people sign is a contract between them. For a case already in court, it can usually be submitted to the court. We write it up and sign it on the call. For legal questions about enforcement in your situation, talk to an attorney.
Do I need a lawyer?
Private mediation does not require one. The mediator gives no legal advice, so if money, children, or an unclear legal question is involved, having an attorney review the agreement before you sign is wise. Lawyers may attend the session if both people agree.
Can you handle court-ordered divorce mediation in Utah?
Not yet. When a contested answer is filed in a Utah divorce, the court requires at least one session with a mediator on the court's roster. David is not on the roster. He is currently completing the additional training the court requires for its domestic roster. We can help with voluntary conversations before or alongside the court process, and we will say clearly when something needs a rostered mediator.
Is it confidential?
Yes. Sessions are not recorded. A live transcript is used only to draft the agreement and is deleted once it is signed. Utah recognizes mediation as confidential, with narrow legal exceptions such as threats of physical harm and abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or vulnerable adult.
Who is the mediator?
David Ring III, founder of Salt City Mediation LLC. He builds software, founded EmpathEase, an app for practicing empathy and Nonviolent Communication, and wrote Unclog Your Happiness. He completed Utah Dispute Resolution's 40-hour mediation training in 2026.
Is Salt City Mediation the same as Salt Mediation Group?
No. Salt City Mediation is an independent online practice run by David Ring III and has no connection to Salt Mediation Group or any other firm with a similar name.