Settlement Week

Settlement Week is a court-managed program to reduce court backlogs by using mediation and other dispute resolution programs to resolve pending juvenile custody or domestic relations cases. 

The court designates two weeks a year, and selects cases for mediation or neutral evaluation, based on recommendations from judges, attorneys, or parties in dispute, and mediations and neutral evaluations are available at lower costs than typical private mediations or neutral evaluation sessions. Sessions are scheduled for three hours. Fees are capped at $150 per hour with a $600 deposit ($150 per hour for a three hour session, plus an additional $150 for an hour of preparation work done by the mediator or private evaluator).

Settlement Week can be beneficial for all involved. The parties have the opportunity to work with an experienced mediator or evaluators to settle their disputes expeditiously, outside of court, saving the time and expense of going to trial. The court can reduce its caseload, allowing the courts to focus on the cases which cannot be resolved, except by trial.