MaryAnn Aiyer
Alternative Dispute Resolution Director
Email: maiyer@circuit5.org

S. Lynn Cummings
Mediation Services Coordinator
Email: lcummings@circuit5.org

To Schedule County Court & Domestic Relation Mediations

lakemediation@circuit5.org

Mediation is a process whereby a neutral and impartial third person acts to encourage and facilitate the resolution of a dispute. It is an informal and non-adversarial process intended to help disputing parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement. In all mediations, you are the decision maker, not the mediator.

The Lake County Mediation Services Program offers mediation in domestic, dependency, small claim, and county civil cases (up to $15,000). The mediations are conducted by Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediators.

Small Claims

A small claim case is a legal action filed in county court to settle legal disputes among parties where the dollar amount involved is $8,000 or less, excluding costs, interest, and attorneys’ fees. Forms that have been approved for statewide use are located within the Florida Small Claims Rules and on the Lake County Clerk’s websites.

The small claims mediations are conducted by Florida Supreme Court Certified County Mediator Volunteers.

Setting Small Claim Mediations

Mediations for small claims are set either at a pretrial or by a court order. If you have a court order requiring you to schedule a small claims mediation, email the mediation coordinator at lcummings@circuit5.org. Remember to include your case number.

Rescheduling a Small Claims Mediation

If you missed a mediation or pretrial or need to reschedule the mediation, request that the event be rescheduled by writing a letter to the Judge explaining why you missed the event. This letter must include your case number and must be filed with the Lake County Clerk of Court. For assistance, contact the clerk’s office directly.

Needing a Zoom Link

If your mediation is being conducted by Zoom, the Zoom link is included in your Notice of Mediation. Contact the Lake County Clerk of Court for a copy of your notice.

County Civil Claims

A County Court Claim case is a legal action filed in county court to settle legal disputes among parties where the dollar amount involved is $8,000 to $50,000, excluding costs, interest, and attorneys’ fees. County cases not exceeding $15,000 are mediated through the court mediation services. Cases exceeding $15000 must be mediated by private mediation. Forms that have been approved for statewide use are located within the Florida Small Claims Rules and on the Lake County Clerk’s website.

Setting County Court Civil Mediations

Mediations for county civil claims are set either at a pretrial or by an Order of Referral to Mediation. There is a charge of $60.00 per party for a county civil mediation. If you have a court order requiring you to schedule a civil county mediation not exceeding $15,000, email the mediation coordinator at lcummings@circuit5.org. Remember to include your case number. (If your case is in excess of $15,000, you will be required to use a private mediator.)

Rescheduling a County Civil Mediation

If you missed a mediation or pretrial or need to reschedule the mediation, request that the event be rescheduled by writing a letter to the Judge explaining why you missed the event. This letter must include your case number and must be filed with the Lake County Clerk of Court. For assistance, contact the clerk’s office directly.

Needing a Zoom Link

If your mediation is being conducted by Zoom, the Zoom link is included in your Notice of Mediation. Contact the Lake County Clerk of Court for a copy of your notice.

Dependency Mediations

A dependency mediation is an opportunity for the parents and agency to make decisions about their case plan and children. Dependency mediations are scheduled by the parties in court.

Domestic Relations

The Domestic Relations Mediations handle matters involving dissolution of marriages (divorces) and paternity.  Court Mediation Services are available to those parties where the combined yearly income is less than $100,000.00. Those with income above that amount must seek a private mediator.

Before a case can be scheduled for mediation through the court’s mediation program, there must be an open case with the court.  In addition, all parties must have filed a Financial Affidavit within the last twelve months and there must be an Order for Mediation from the judge.  The cost for domestic relations mediations is based on combined incomes of the parties.  To schedule a mediation, email lakemediation@circuit5.org.  If available, include a copy of your Order for Mediation.

Family Help Center

Family Law Forms

Updated DR Order for Mediation