Answer: It can vary, but you should plan for several hours at least. Many mediations last around half a day, and some can go a full day depending on the complexity of the case and how the negotiations progress. For example, it’s not unusual for a mediation to start in the morning and go into the afternoon. Some even pause for lunch and continue after a break. In our experience, you should block off your schedule for the whole day, just in case, even though it might end sooner. We don’t want you to feel rushed because you have another appointment – you want to give the mediation a fair chance to work.
Why does it take so long? A lot of it is waiting and deliberation. The mediator will spend time with our side, then the other side, back and forth. Each round of talks can take time as the mediator carries offers, then we discuss our response. Sometimes there are long pauses while the other side crunches numbers, consults with insurance, or when we privately discuss things. It’s a bit of a slow dance of negotiations. This is normal – mediation is not usually a quick in-and-out meeting. Even if it feels slow, progress could be happening behind the scenes.
Be prepared to be patient. If you need breaks for the restroom or just to stretch, that’s completely fine (in fact, there will be planned breaks, and you can also request one anytime). If the mediation is making good progress, it’s worth continuing as long as it takes within that day. On occasion, if no agreement is reached in the allotted time, the session might end and be resumed on another day, but more commonly everyone tries to wrap it up in one session. So, plan your day accordingly – arrange child care, work off, or other obligations so you can focus on the mediation without worry about the clock. Your attorney will also be clearing their schedule to devote the time needed. Remember, this is an important meeting about your case, and we want to give it the time it deserves.