What Does Mediation Cost in Washington State?
Direct Answer
Mediation costs in Washington vary by case type. Private mediators may charge hourly or daily rates, while Dispute Resolution Centers and legal aid groups offer free or low-cost options.
Private mediator fees in Seattle and the Puget Sound region for complex commercial cases typically range from $250 to $500 per hour, with daily rates of $2,500 to $6,000 for experienced neutrals at JAMS or AAA. Family mediators in private practice charge $150 to $300 per hour. Court-referred mediations are typically split equally between the parties. For low-income litigants, several free and low-cost options are available. The Dispute Resolution Centers (DRCs) in each county — including the DRC of King County, the Dispute Resolution Center of Snohomish County, and the Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution — provide free or low-cost mediation for community, family, and minor civil disputes, funded under RCW 7.75 (the Dispute Resolution Act). The King County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service can connect parties with mediators who offer reduced fees. Legal aid organizations — including Northwest Justice Project, Columbia Legal Services, and Unemployment Law Project — provide free mediation services for qualifying clients. The WSHRC's mediation program for human rights complaints is free. Washington's DRC network is one of the most comprehensive in the country, with centers in all 39 counties providing free mediation services.