Guides
Straight answers, before you decide anything.
What the court route really costs, what happens inside a session, and how to say a hard thing without setting the room on fire. Plain language, no sales pitch.
Cost & savings
What each route actually runs youWhat a contested divorce really costs in Utah (and how mediation compares)
A contested divorce in Utah often runs $15,000 to $30,000 per spouse. See where the money goes, and how mediation compares, with plain figures.
5 min readCost & savingsMediation vs. going to court: a real cost-and-time comparison
A clear cost-and-time comparison of mediation vs. court in Utah, with real ranges for money, months, and how often mediation reaches an agreement.
7 min readHow mediation works
Inside the room, step by stepDoes mediation actually work? What the success rates show
Most people who try mediation reach an agreement. Research puts the rate near 70 to 80 percent. Here is what that means for you, and what it does not promise.
4 min readHow mediation worksHow to prepare for mediation (and why we start with empathy)
A calm, practical way to get ready for mediation. Gather what matters, name your needs, and try a short empathy exercise grounded in Nonviolent Communication.
5 min readHow mediation worksIs mediation confidential? What's protected, and the few exceptions
Mediation is a private process. See what confidentiality protects, why sessions aren't recorded and notes get destroyed, and the few legal exceptions.
4 min readHow mediation worksThe mediator's role: a neutral guide, not a judge
A mediator stays neutral, gives no legal advice, and takes no one's side. Here is what that role looks like in practice, and why it helps you reach agreement.
4 min readHow mediation worksWhat actually happens in a mediation session, step by step
A calm walk through a mediation session, from the first hello to a signed agreement. See the six stages, when a private caucus helps, and how to prepare.
5 min readHow mediation worksWhat is a caucus, and how a private conversation moves things forward
A caucus is a private, confidential talk between you and the mediator. Learn when it helps, what stays private, and how it moves a conversation forward.
4 min readCommunication
Saying the hard thing, calmlyFrom blame to needs: a calmer way to say the hard thing
Blame puts the other person on defense before you reach your point. Here is how to say the same hard truth in a way they can actually hear.
4 min readCommunicationResolving disputes with Nonviolent Communication
Nonviolent Communication turns a stuck argument into a solvable problem. Learn the four parts and how they help you resolve a dispute calmly.
4 min readBy situation
Guides for a specific kind of disputeCo-founder conflict: resolving startup disputes without breaking the company
A co-founder fight can sink the company you are fighting over. How mediation helps you resolve equity, roles, and IP without going to court.
5 min readBy situationSmall claims in Utah: when it's smarter to mediate (2025 limit: $20,000)
Utah small claims now covers disputes up to $20,000. Learn the timeline, the limits, and when mediating a money dispute beats a day in court.
6 min readStill weighing it up?
A free consult is the fastest way to find out whether mediation fits your situation. Or run the numbers first.