Mediation is a private, voluntary process where a neutral third party helps both sides reach a resolution they can live with: without the cost, delay, and bitterness of trial. Merrill A. Hanson, Esq. mediates civil disputes in California and Nevada.
Areas of Focus
Business Partnership, contract, and ownership disputes.
Real Estate Boundary, easement, purchase and sale, and neighbor disputes.
Construction Defect claims, payment disputes, scope and delay disagreements.
Divorce & Family Property division, support, and parenting plans.
Workplace Employer-employee and partner conflicts.
Landlord / Tenant Lease, deposit, habitability, and possession disputes.
Estates & Trusts Disputes between beneficiaries, trustees, and executors.
Other Civil Disputes Not sure if your matter fits? Reach out.
Christian Mediation
A Christian Approach
For clients of faith, mediation aligns with what Scripture teaches about resolving disputes. In 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, Paul urges believers to settle disputes among themselves rather than before unbelieving courts. In Matthew 5:25-26 and Luke 12:57-59, Jesus advises settling quickly with your adversary before a judge decides for you.
Mediation honors both: resolving disputes privately, in good faith, and on your own terms.
This approach often aligns with the principles behind our Christian Estate Planning services.
How Mediation Works
- Sign the agreements. All parties sign the Agreement to Mediate and the Confidentiality Agreement before the date is confirmed.
- Mediate. Sessions run in three-hour blocks, in person or by video. The mediator works with both sides jointly and privately.
- Resolve. If the parties agree, the mediator prepares a written agreement. Once signed, it’s binding.
Everything said in mediation is confidential and protected from later use as evidence (Nevada Revised Statutes 48.109; California Evidence Code §§ 1115–1128; Federal Rule of Evidence 408).
Fees & Scheduling
Rate: $550/hour, split evenly ($225/hour per side).
Minimum: $1,650 total ($825 per side). Covers one hour of prep plus a three-hour session. Additional time billed in one-hour increments.
Deposit: $825 per side, due in advance to confirm the date. Check, cash, or credit card.
Travel: Time and expenses billed separately when travel is required.
Billing: Invoiced at the end of each session, due on receipt. 1% monthly interest on unpaid balances.
CLIENT DOCUMENTS
Both forms must be signed by all parties before the mediation date is confirmed.
- Agreement to Mediate (Click to download)
- Confidentiality Agreement (Click to download)
Why Merrill?
Merrill is a certified mediator and meets all requirements of DRPA for court-connected mediation. He was a member of the Violent Offenders Mediation Program (VOMP) in the Inland Empire, and volunteers from time to time as a mediator in family court and small claims court at the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside. In addition to his formal training and court-connected experience, Merrill brings the perspective of a practicing attorney who understands both the legal and practical realities of conflict. Licensed in Nevada and California, he has worked with individuals, families, and business owners in navigating complex legal issues with clarity and integrity. His goal is not simply to settle disputes, but to guide parties toward practical resolutions that are informed, fair, and built to last.