Resolution Services

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:

If your court filing fees have been waived by a judge, your mediation fee is also waived.

Acceptable methods of payment:

• 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.

You can contact resolution Services at cdrs@clackamas.us or at 503-655-8850. This is a message phone. Our offices are open Monday through Thursday. We will return your message within one business day.

If you need an interpreter, please request one at least four days before your mediation by calling the Small Claims Clerk at 503-655-8447. A qualified court interpreter will be provided to you at no charge. You may not bring a friend or family member to interpret for you.

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.

To get notice of upcoming trainings, join our mailing list here :

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 you choose to use Resolution Services for Court-Mandated Mediation, you will need to do the following:

• Register: You need to register by completing the intake form before your deadline.
  You do not need to have scheduled or held a mediation session by the deadline.
• Orientation Video: You need to watch the Family Law Mediation Orientation Video (or read the
  transcript), as required under ORS 107.755, before participating in mediation

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

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.

After a hiatus, Clackamas County is bringing back its Family Law Mediation Internship for Fall 2025.  We are currently accepting applications for the intensive 8-month internship, which offers training, supervision and case consultation for up to three interns.

Court-Connected Family Law Mediation Program

Resolution Services provides a mandatory court-connected family law mediation program for separating, divorcing, and renegotiating parents and partners, offering mediation for custody and parenting plans as well as the full range of financial issues these families face (child/ spousal support, asset and debt allocation, etc.). Interns are immediately immersed in the process of observation, co-mediation, and eventual solo mediation with a small caseload once approved. Interns are assigned an experienced staff mentor, meeting regularly for individual supervision, and have the opportunity to join group case consultation to address tricky logistical and ethical issues faced by family law mediators. Interns will work with mediators from a variety of professional fields (currently our staff includes mediators with law, therapy, and conflict resolution backgrounds).  

Training and Experience

Interns will be expected to have completed an initial 40 hour basic mediation training; custody and parenting time training is preferred by the start of the internship but not required (partner organizations and colleagues offer a number of quality trainings in the area). Coinciding with the internship, this winter Resolution Services will provide the 40 hour family law financial mediation training with reserved spaces for our interns to attend. This training has not been available in the region for over five years, and will provide all trainees with key information and practice in the complex processes of financial mediation. While mediations are conducted primarily online (Zoom), there will be occasional in-person opportunities, and all interns will be expected to dedicate 12-16 hours per week to this intensive internship experience—specific days and times of internship to be arranged individually based on shared availability.

Application Process and Fees

If you or a colleague would be interested in this opportunity, please see the applications below, which are due May 16, 2025. The cost for the internship is $2,000 (waived for current students in an academic program). A limited number of scholarships are available. 

• Internship Application
• Scholarship Application
• Flyer