Mediation Packages & Pricing
Mediation Packages & Pricing Options
Every situation that comes through Common Ground Mediation is different, so pricing is structured to reflect that, not to force every client into the same fixed package. Here's how customized and retainer pricing options work.
When parents genuinely disagree about custody or visitation, California law requires mediation before a judge will hear the dispute. Common Ground Mediation gives San Diego parents a private, structured space to try to resolve a contested custody or visitation issue directly, on your own terms, before it reaches a courtroom.
- 100% Confidential
- Virtual & In-Person
- Pepperdine MDR Trained
$375
Per hour · No retainer required
Customized Mediation Packages
Most clients at Common Ground work within a custom-quoted package, built around the specific service, number of sessions realistically needed, and complexity of the situation. A straightforward single-issue conflict is priced differently than a multi-issue divorce or a complex property division. During your free consultation, Nicole will help you understand the likely scope of your situation and provide a clear, upfront quote before any commitment.
Mediation Retainer Packages
For clients who anticipate needing ongoing support, such as co-parenting mediation likely to involve periodic sessions over time, or an organization wanting continued access to workplace mediation, a retainer package can be a more efficient structure than booking individual sessions as they come up. Retainer terms are discussed and agreed upon directly with Nicole based on your anticipated needs.
How Pricing Works at Common Ground
A few principles apply across every service.
No retainer required to begin.
Every engagement starts with a free consultation, with no cost or commitment required to have that first conversation.
Pricing is scoped before you commit.
You'll understand the likely cost and structure before agreeing to move forward, not after sessions have already started.
Packages reflect actual complexity
A single-session boundary conversation is priced differently than a multi-session high-conflict divorce, because the scope of work is genuinely different.
Sessions are typically priced per case or per engagement
Not as a flat hourly rate applied uniformly regardless of the situation, though hourly components may apply within a broader package depending on the service.
Try to resolve this before it becomes a courtroom fight. Let's change that.
FAQs About Mediation Packages & Pricing
Do I have to know exactly what I need before the consultation?
No. Part of the free consultation is helping you figure out the scope of what you need. Nicole will ask questions to understand your situation and recommend the right package from there.
Is there a retainer required to start?
No. Every service starts with a free consultation, and no retainer is required to begin. Some ongoing services, like retainer packages for co-parenting support or organizational consulting, involve an agreed-upon retainer structure once you decide to move forward.
What if my situation turns out to be more complex than expected?
Nicole will discuss any change in scope with you directly and transparently before additional sessions or costs are added, rather than surprising you partway through.
Can I switch from a per-session structure to a retainer later?
Yes. If your needs evolve into something more ongoing, Nicole can discuss transitioning to a retainer structure at that point.
Are packages different for individuals versus organizations?
Yes. Individual and family services are typically priced per case, while organizational services like workplace consulting are often structured as a retainer or project-based engagement, reflecting the different nature of that work.