Resolution Services

About Mediation

How does Mediation Work? 

In mediation, both sides of a case will meet with a mediator who will help you have a conversation about ways to settle your case that might be better for you than going to trial. You make the decisions, including whether you settle and what the settlement terms are.

Who are the Mediators?

Our mediators are trained and experienced volunteers who donate their time to help others resolve conflicts. They will help you have a conversation with the other side, but will not make recommendations or give legal advice. More information about each of our mediators is available, including their background, training and experience. Our mediators follow the ethical guidelines in the Oregon Mediation Association Core Standards of Mediation Practice.

A Message From The Court

Clackamas County Circuit and Justice Courts each have a rule requiring all small claims cases to try mediation before trial. The Circuit Court rule is SLR 12.005: Mediation in Small Claims Actions; Failure to Comply with Settlement

1. All disputed small claims actions shall go to mediation before going to trial, except for good cause acceptable to the Court.
2. The Court may, subsequent to an opportunity for a hearing, enter a judgment against any party not appearing for mediation in the amount of any claim against the non-appearing party, and for the adverse party’s costs and disbursements.
3. Agreement reached while in mediation shall be signed by the parties and filed as a stipulated order.
4. Failure of either party to abide by the stipulated order will be grounds for the opposing party to file an Affidavit/Declaration of Non-Compliance and obtain a judgment on the original claim

Information For After Your Mediation (not needed in every case)

• Default Judgment Paperwork (Circuit and Justice Court)
  • Default Judgment and Money Award
  • Motion for Default Judgment
  • Default Judgment Court Statement 
• Noncompliance Paperwork
  • Circuit Court Declaration of Noncompliance and Request for Default Judgment
  • Justice Court Declaration of Noncompliance and Request for Default Judgment

Fees for Circuit Court Cases

There is a fee for mediation separate from the fee you paid to the court. This fee is payable to Clackamas County and is not a court fee.

The fee is:

Acceptable methods of payment for in-person mediation (not currently available due to COVID-19):

• personal check signed by the person whose name appears on the check
• money order or cashier's check
• Master Card, Visa or Discover Card only (not American Express, etc.)
• cash (Exact change is appreciated. We have very limited change on hand) 

The fee is due when you check in for mediation. Please do not send the fee in advance.

These courses teach the skills and techniques of interest-based mediation. Learn a practical and structured process for helping people in conflict find agreeable solutions. The methods are useful with all kinds of conflicts, including interpersonal, workplace, family, neighborhood, business and intercultural.

For more information, call 503-655-8415 or email rs@clackamas.us.

We provide confidential mediation and legal clinic services to families seeking to resolve issues such as child custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, finances and property division.

These services are offered to married and unmarried partners, and to parties who are currently separating or divorcing, as well as to those who have post-divorce changes in circumstances. Some people come before they have filed anything in court; others come after they have filed. Still others come to mediate issues that have arisen since the original order. Most people come to mediation when they recognize that the use of an impartial person may be helpful in resolving the issues between them.

Cost and Services

If you have an active family law court case in Clackamas County, there will be no charge for your first two sessions. Otherwise, the cost of each session will be $187.50, or $93.75 each. 

Our fees are payable through our online payment portal and due no later than the beginning of your session.

We can prepare your court paperwork if:

• You mediate with Resolution Services, and
• Both parties are self-represented (meaning you have not retained an attorney), and
• You reach full agreement on all of the issues in your case, and
• Both parties agree to use this service and pay the fees.

Court-Mandated Mediation

Mediation with Resolution Services is optional. There are several ways to satisfy the requirement for participation in appropriate dispute resolution under Clackamas County Supplementary Local Rule 8.017. In Clackamas county, parties to a family law action who have a dispute must attempt some kind of appropriate dispute resolution (ADR). Mediation is one way to satisfy this requirement.

If choose to use Resolution Services for Court-Mandated Mediation, you need to register by completing this intake form before your deadline. You do not need to have scheduled or held a mediation session by the deadline.

Working with the Center, neighbors engaged in a productive and cordial dialogue. They reached an understanding of their different perceptions of appropriate yard maintenance, the physical and financial limitations they each faced, and the future they desired. Now, parties have an agreement that works and skills to discuss their ongoing concerns and interests.

Personality Differences

All residents of a housing facility were caught up in a disagreement between two residents.

Emotionally-charged interactions between parties were affecting all residents of this housing facility. Through mediation, both parties were able to focus on their common interests, become aware of how their differences were impacting others, and regain their commitment to respect each other and improve the relationship.

Barking Dogs

An elderly, manufactured-home owner was aggravated by constant barking.

When Dog Services recommended mediation to this elderly resident, there was little hope in finding relief from continuous barking. Working with Center mediators, options were explored with the home owner and neighbor. Agreements were reached and renegotiated as the situation changed over time. Ultimately, effective resolution was achieved through better communication skills, an understanding of the impact of dog barking and assistance in exploring accountability and dog-behavior training.

Consumer Complaint

A consumer and merchant failed to find common ground and resolve ongoing complaints.

After months of unproductive telephone calls and letter writing, the Dispute Resolution Center was approached and parties agreed to meet face-to-face. With a process that ensured both parties could be heard and their needs respected, a fair and mutually-agreeable option was reached that satisfied everyone.

Property Dispute

Frustrated with abandoned property, community members pursued an alternative to code enforcement.

Frustrated with abandoned property that had become a local eyesore, a neighborhood sought out options beyond code enforcement. Telephone conciliation facilitated by trained mediators lead to open dialogue and the option to purchase the property. Now, the property is restored to its native habitat and has become a source of pride.

Resolution Services (Servicios de Resolución) es una agencia del Condado de Clackamas cuya meta es fortalecer las relaciones familiares, reducir los conflictos dentro de las familias, y a la vez reducir la dependencia en el sistema de las cortes para resolver los conflictos.

Resolution Services (Servicios de Resolución) ofrece en español la mediación para resolver asuntos de relaciones domesticas (Domestic Relations Mediation), la consejería para parejas (Couples Counseling), y la mediación familiar entre padres y sus hijos (Youth and Family Mediation). También ofrecemos clases de educación para los padres (Parent Education Class) en el condado de Clackamas y el condado de Multnomah. Para más información acerca del horario para las clases, llame a 503-655-8415 y oprima #1.

Además, utilizando los servicios de un intérprete, proveemos otros servicios inclusivo, las clases de derecho familiar, la mediación para resolver disputas en la comunidad, y la mediación para las demandas de reclamaciones.

La mediación para resolver asuntos de relaciones domésticas y consejería para parejas

La meta de consejería de parejas incluye: el mejorar la comunicación, el resolver las disputas, y el decidir el futuro de su relación.

Los asuntos que se tratan en la mediación para las parejas quienes están a punto de divorciarse, separarse o que ya están divorciadas o separadas son: el identificar los conflictos y negociar acuerdos para resolver los problemas en cuanto al matrimonio y la convivencia o la anulación y la separación, la paternidad, y el divorcio. De acuerdo con la situación que se presente, la mediación podría incluir la custodia de los niños, el tiempo con cada padre, el llevarse a los niños, y la manutención para el niño.

El papel del mediador es de ofrecer información, ayudarle las participantes en tener una conversación en un ambiente seguro y cómodo hasta que las participantes lleguen a los acuerdos que luego son escritos por el mediador. El mediador no hace recomendaciones a la corte, ni impone resoluciones a los participantes, ya que las decisiones están en las manos de los participantes y no en las del mediador.

¿Cuáles son las calificaciones del mediador o consejero?
Su consejero o mediador cumple con los requisitos expresados por el Municipio y la ley para llevar a cabo servicios con parejas. Hay variaciones en los antecedentes profesionales y grados académicos de los empleados. También hay mediadores y consejeros que hablan español.

¿Cuánto me cuesta la mediación de relaciones domesticas?
Todos los nuevos clientes tienen el derecho de tener una sesión gratuita; la sesión individual. Después de estas sesiones, el cobro es de $100 por hora, las sesiones son normalmente una hora y media y hay que pagar antes de comenzar cada cita.

La mediación con jóvenes y padres o tutores

¿Problema en Casa? ¿Se siente estancado en la Escuela? ¡Mediación puede ayudar!

Los mediadores de familia de Clackamas County Resolution Services (Servicios de Resolución del Condado de Clackamas) Youth and Family Mediation Program (Programa de Mediación Familiar) trabajan principalmente con los padres o tutores y sus niños y jóvenes, quienes están experimentando conflictos o crisis. Estos mediadores son entrenados profesionalmente para trabajar especialmente con adultos y jóvenes. Los mediadores son altamente calificados para ayudar a la gente. Hay una colaboración entre un mediador joven y un mediador adulto que crean un ambiente seguro en donde todos pueden compartir sus anhelos, necesidades y sentimientos con los demás. Los mediadores dirigen el proceso de mediación entre los padres y los jóvenes en ambiente calmado con un énfasis en lograr la clarificación y el asegurar que todos han sido entendidos. Los mediadores no les imponen sus propias opiniones ni les mandan lo que deben hacer. Si no, les ayudan a crear sus propios acuerdos por sí mismos.

Temas típicos que las familias traen a la mediación incluyen las horas cuando los muchachos deberían de regresar a su hogar (restricción) y otras reglas de casa, la selección de amigos, los problemas en la escuela, la involucración con la ley o las drogas y escaparse. Depende de la familia el decidir quién debería tener parte en el proceso de mediación y que de cuales temas quieren hablar. La mayoría de las familias reportan que después de la mediación la comunicación mejora y que cuentan con nuevas habilidades para manejar futuros conflictos.

La mediación es un proceso que funciona para las familias quienes:

• Desean un ambiente más tranquilo en la casa.
• Quieren mejorar las habilidades de comunicación y de solucionar problemas.
• Quieren un término corto, una alternativa práctica a la consejería.

¿Como empieza el proceso de mediación?
Usted puede contactarnos por correo electrónico a rs@co.clackamas.us o llamar a Resolution Services al teléfono 503-655-8415, oprima el numero 1. Un miembro del personal deseará hablar con usted para asegurar que la mediación es el proceso correcto para su familia y para contestar cualquiera pregunta. Típicamente, una mediación puede ser programada dentro de una semana o dos después de su llamada.

¿Localidad?
Quedamos en el edificio Public Services Building en Oregon City. Se puede encontrar el edificio en la intersección de Kaen Road y Beavercreek Road. La dirección: 2051 Kaen Road, Suite 210, Oregón City, OR 97045.

Open a Case

Fill out an intake form.  

• Cases are assigned on Mondays and a mediator will reach out to you within the following week.
• Please note that in most cases the service is voluntary, so you will not be required to continue mediation if you are no longer interested after speaking to a mediator.
• This is the process to connect with someone from our office, please fill out an intake form. even if you simply have questions or are unsure this is the right service for you.

Community Mediation

Mediation helps to strengthen community relationships and preserve safe and peaceful living environments. Our mediators will discuss service options with you for issues such as:

• Neighbor to neighbor disputes
  • Animal control, barking dogs
  • Interpersonal conflict
  • Property line, fence, and easement issues
  • Property maintenance, traffic and parking
• Manufactured home communities mediation
• Consumer and merchant disputes
• Family relationship issues (other than divorce)
  • Elder care issues, adult sibling disputes
  • Parent/Teen issues
  • Probate and guardianship
  • Separating partners

Our mediation sessions are confidential, voluntary, impartial, effective and available during evening hours.

For landlord/tenant, eviction or other housing mediation needs, please fill out the following intake form.

Mediation Benefits

• Maintain control over decisions
• Reach your own agreements
• Solve problems... not symptoms
• Save time and money
• Stay out of court
• End the conflict
• Develop lasting agreements
• Improve neighborhood livability

Our team consists of both staff mediators and professionally trained volunteer mediators.

Clackamas County Resolution Services (CCRS) has a long history as a learning and teaching community, committed to the development of the field and the training of professionals. With interns on staff, Resolution Services is able to serve more families in need. CCRS values the contribution of interns on our staff as an essential component in our commitment to rigorous examination of our work.

Self-Designed Internship

Resolution Services offers self-designed internships. These are usually project-focused, and can vary in length. The availability of these internships is dependent on the availability of staff to supervise the intern. No particular educational preparation is required for participation in a self-designed internship. Typically, self-designed internships are sought by students enrolled in high school or college and professionals or others wishing to do a research project or get some specific practicum experience.

Applications for Self-Designed Internships are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit:

• a letter of interest which summarizes the reasons the candidate wishes to seek an internship with CCRS
• a completed CCRS Internship Application
• a resume, addressed to Internship Committee, Resolution Services.

The application and materials should be addressed to:
Internship Committee
Resolution Services
2051 Kaen Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
or submitted electronically to rs@clackamas.us.

Internship Fees

Interns who are currently enrolled part-time or greater in an academic program leading toward a degree (in a subject matter related to the internship) are not charged a fee. All other interns are charged a fee based on the kind of internship they participate in:

Self-Designed Internship
fee varies according to student/professional status, duration of internship, and other factors.

Payment of Fees
One-half ($1,000) due by the first Thursday in October, and one-half ($1,000) due by the first Thursday in January, unless you are enrolled at least part time in a degree-seeking educational program.

Classes happen 3-4 times a month. We have two different times and days:

• Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

All classes are online via Zoom. You need a device with a camera and microphone — even a smartphone will do — to participate. 

When you first book the class, the registration system sends out a confirmation booking email along with another email with the class information and Zoom link. Please check your spam/junk folder. If you do not receive the email, please email us right away so you have the link for the class.

If you have ever previously taken the Clackamas County parent education class, you do not need to take it again, even if you have a new court case, unless a judge specifically orders you to re-take it. Please contact our office if you took the class for another case and would like a copy of the certificate sent to you.

Topics covered include:

• Children's developmental stages and how these relate to divorce
• The emotional impact of a dissolution of marriage or separation on children
• Identifying the difference between "normal" grief reactions and more concerning behaviors, and finding resources
• The effect on children of parental conduct including long-distance parenting
• Strategies for better co-parenting during and after divorce or family separation
• Custody, parenting time and shared parenting plans
• Mediation and conflict resolution
• Additional supportive resources

To register for Parent Education

• You may only register for yourself.
• If you have your court, filling fees waived please email our office to get the waiver code at rs@clackamas.us
• The class fee is non-refundable. Before you register and pay, please make sure you are wanting to take the Clackamas County Parent Education class, not another county's class.
• If you need to take the class in a language other than English or Spanish, you can email rs@clackamas.us.
• PLEASE add no-reply@steamsonline.com to your contacts or safe senders list. This will ensure that your email provider recognizes future messages. From our registration system. 

Para inscribirse en una Clase de Padres en Español

Favor de hacer ‘clic’ al botón verde abajo para enviarnos un correo electrónico con su nombre y número de teléfono. Le enviaremos un correo electrónico dentro de unos días una vez que hayamos configurado una clase en Español.

Register for Parent Education Regístrese para la educación para padres

Rescheduling — including if you missed your class

• You may change your registration to another date with at least 24-hours notice. If you do not provide 24-hours notice, you will need to pay the class fee again and sign up for another date, even if you have a fee waiver.
• If you missed your class and need to sign up again. Simply click on the registration link and register and pay for another class date.

Co-workers seek disciplinary action against each other

Escalating conflict between two employees affects their performance and the performance of their team.

Faced with growing conflict, their supervisor suggested mediation and the employees agreed to participate. Through mediation, the co-workers began to understand each other's perspectives and find common ground through their work. They discussed office protocol and developed an interpersonal communication agreement that helped them communicate directly about work and customer service issues. The supervisor also agreed to hold regular staff meetings to enhance office communication and manage expectations. The result has been increased productivity and improved problem-solving.

A supervisor searches for help with a talented, yet challenging, employee

A supervisor is frustrated with a star employee who talks too much, distracting other employees from their work.

While this employee's skills and job performance are highly valued, his supervisor has ongoing concerns about his communication style and its impact on co-workers. The employee agreed to mediation, and disclosed that he had issues with the supervisor as well, saying that she spends too much time in her office and not enough time managing the staff. During the mediation, they discussed their differences in communication and work styles and agreed to a behavioral contract that addressed both of their concerns. The mediation improved the overall work environment for everyone involved.

A valued client may be lost due to an employee's communication style

A manager contacted the Dispute Resolution Center after a client repeatedly complained that a service company employee was rude and disrespectful when visiting the client's business.

During mediation, the client and employee talked about their expectations and job responsibilities and soon began to understand each other's priorities and styles. They shared new information and developed a plan that would accommodate the employee's tight schedule while respecting the client's need for notification and predictability. The employee apologized for any misunderstanding and asked the client to let him know directly if she ever feels disrespected. The process led to improved relations between the client and the company.

Talk directly

Assuming that there is no threat of physical violence, talk directly to the person with whom you have the problem. Direct conversation is much more effective than sending a letter, banging on the wall, throwing a rock or complaining to everyone else.

Choose a good time

Plan ahead and allow yourselves enough time for a thorough discussion. Don't start talking about the conflict just as the other person is leaving to make dinner, for example. Try to talk in a quiet place where you can both be comfortable and undisturbed for as long as the discussion takes.

Plan ahead

Think about what you want to say ahead of time. Explain what the problem is and how it affects you.

Don't blame or name-call

Antagonizing the other person only makes it harder for him or her to hear you and understand your concerns. Don't blame the other person for everything or begin the conversation with your opinion of what should be done.

Give information

Don't interpret the other person's behavior. "You are blocking my driveway on purpose just to make me mad!" Instead, give information about your own feelings: "When your car blocks my driveway, I get angry because I can't get to work on time."

Listen

Give the other person a chance to tell his or her side of the conflict completely. Relax and listen; try to learn how the other person feels.

Show that you are listening

Although you may not agree with what is being said, tell the other person that you hear him or her and are glad that you are discussing the problem together.

Talk it all through

Once you start, get all of the issues and feelings out into the open. Don't leave out the part that seems too "difficult" to discuss or too "insignificant" to be important. Your solutions will work best if all issues are discussed thoroughly.

Work on a solution

When you have reached this point in the discussion, start working on a solution. Two or more people cooperating are much more effective than one person telling another to change. Be specific: "I will turn my music off at midnight" is better than a vague "I won't play my music anymore."

Follow through

Agree to check with each other at specific times to make sure that the agreement is still working... then really do it!

If you would like support resolving your conflict, you are welcome to fill out an intake form for the program area that best fits your needs. Visit the Resolution Services home page to learn more.