• Family law: Utah courts generally require parties in divorce, custody, and parent time disputes to attend at least one mediation session before trial. This applies even if only one side has an attorney.
• Small claims: Not mandatory in every county, but many judges strongly encourage mediation at the pre trial conference. Some Justice Courts – like Salt Lake City and Provo – have on site mediators available the same day.
• Exceptions: Cases with domestic violence, protective orders, or serious power imbalance may be excused if safety or fairness would be compromised.

Utah requires mediators in court connected cases to be court approved and listed on the Utah Court Annexed ADR Roster. You can find qualified mediators on the Utah State Courts website.

• Gather documents – contracts, texts, receipts, financials, parenting schedules.
• Write your goals – what you want most and where you can compromise.
• Know your bottom line.
• Prepare a calm, clear summary of your side.
• Decide whether to bring an attorney or support person – allowed in most cases.
• Clear at least two uninterrupted hours for the session.
• Review the Utah Courts Preparing for Mediation handout if available.

• Neutral environment: The mediator facilitates discussion but does not decide outcomes.
• Joint and private meetings: You may start together, then move to separate rooms – called caucusing.
• Confidentiality: Utah law keeps mediation discussions confidential. They are not used in court later.
• Focus on solutions: The mediator steers both sides toward common ground, not who is right.

Small claims: Often under an hour and focused on payment timelines, damages, or returning property.

Family cases: Commonly two to four hours covering custody, parent time, child support, and asset division.

• Drafting: The mediator or your attorney helps draft a written agreement if you settle.
• Family cases: File the agreement so it becomes part of your divorce decree or custody order.
• Small claims: File the signed agreement as a court judgment so it is enforceable like any order.
• No agreement: The mediator files a Certificate of Completion so the case can move to trial.

Typical mediator fees in Utah range from $75 to $300 per hour, usually split between the parties. Some counties offer free or reduced fee community mediation through nonprofits such as Utah Dispute Resolution.

• Showing up unprepared or emotional – bring facts, not anger.
• Refusing to compromise – judges notice when one side is inflexible.
• Failing to finalize in writing – get signatures before leaving.
• Skipping follow up filing – especially in family cases where orders must be updated.