575 S. Wickham Rd., Ste F, PMB 334, Melbourne, FL 32904
info@torresmediation.com
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Originally published: August 2021 | Updated: June 2026
Small business mediation in Melbourne, FL, is a confidential process in which business owners, partners, contractors, and vendors resolve commercial disputes with a neutral mediator rather than a judge.
Sessions cost $350 per hour (2026 rate) with a two-hour minimum, and most disputes resolve in two to six hours.
Kim W. Torres, a Florida Bar member since 1985, has mediated 3,000+ disputes since 2000, including breach-of-contract disputes, partnership dissolutions, landlord-tenant claims, and vendor conflicts across Brevard, Orange, Seminole, and Indian River Counties.
Spending $20,000 on attorneys to litigate a $15,000 contract dispute? Kim Torres resolves most small business conflicts in a single session — schedule a free telephone consultation.
Small business mediation with Kim costs $350 per hour. Virtual sessions carry a two-hour minimum; in-person sessions carry a three-hour minimum. Most business disputes — breach of contract, payment disputes, partnership conflicts — resolve in two to six hours, with a total mediation cost of $700–$2,100.
| Service | Cost (2026) |
| Mediation session (virtual) | $350/hour, 2-hour minimum |
| Mediation session (in-person) | $350/hour, 3-hour minimum |
| Co-mediation with Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney | Contact for rate |
| Preparation of an enforceable settlement agreement | $700 flat |
Both parties typically split the fee equally, though any cost-sharing arrangement you agree to works. Kim accepts cash, check, credit card, Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle. Each step is paid at the start of that step, not all at once.
Commercial litigation in Florida routinely costs $20,000–$100,000+ per party and takes 12–24 months. A $50,000 breach-of-contract claim litigated through discovery, depositions, and trial can consume more in attorney fees than the original amount in dispute. Mediation eliminates that math.
Kim mediates disputes across every industry where small businesses operate in Brevard County and Central Florida. Her background in real estate law, property transactions, and general business practice, prior to becoming a full-time mediator in 2000, gives her direct familiarity with the commercial issues that drive these conflicts.
Mediation requires both parties to participate voluntarily and negotiate in good faith. Not every business conflict fits.
Business mediation is not recommended when one party needs an emergency injunction or temporary restraining order — those require immediate court action. Mediation also does not work when one party refuses to attend, when fraud is actively ongoing and requires forensic discovery, or when a legal precedent is needed that only a court ruling can establish.
Kim will tell you during the free telephone consultation whether mediation is appropriate for your dispute. She does not proceed when the conditions for a productive conversation are not present.
Unsure whether your dispute qualifies for mediation or needs to go straight to court? Kim Torres offers a free telephone consultation to assess your situation — call (321) 821-9995.
Kim opens every session with both parties in the same room — or on the same Zoom call — to establish ground rules and hear each side’s account of the dispute. She then identifies the specific issues to resolve: who owes what, which contract terms are in dispute, and what each party needs to walk away with.
When the conversation stalls or emotions escalate, Kim moves to a caucus — a private session with each party separately — to explore positions the other side is not ready to hear.
Nothing shared in caucus goes back to the other party unless you authorize it, and all mediation communications remain confidential under Florida Statute §44.405.
When both parties reach an agreement, Kim prepares a written settlement document that becomes a binding contract once signed. Either party may have an attorney review the agreement before signing.
If the parties cannot agree, Kim files an impasse report, and the dispute proceeds to litigation — but even partial agreements reached in mediation narrow what the court must decide.
For medical malpractice disputes, complex commercial litigation, and multiparty cases involving 3 or more parties, Kim co-mediates with a Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney who brings 30+ years of complex litigation experience.
Co-mediation pairs Kim’s mediation skills with deep subject-matter expertise in the same session.
Co-mediation is the right fit when the dispute involves high-dollar claims, specialized industry knowledge (construction defect, commercial lease disputes, professional liability), or multiple parties with competing interests. These sessions can be held anywhere in Florida.
If you are unsure whether your case calls for standard mediation or co-mediation, Kim will recommend the right format during the free consultation.
Straightforward disputes — a single payment disagreement, a service agreement breach with clear dollar amounts, a landlord-tenant conflict over a lease term — typically resolve in two to four hours in a single session.
Complex cases involving multiple parties, large dollar amounts, or disputes that require reviewing extensive documentation may take four to eight hours across one or two sessions.
Morgan schedules sessions within one to three days of initial contact by phone at (321) 821-9995, through the contact page, or via the NADN calendar.
Zoom video conferencing covers every session type. Kim conducts in-person mediations at the Melbourne office or at the office of either party’s attorney when requested.
How much does small business mediation cost in Brevard County?
Kim charges $350 per hour (2026 rate), with a two-hour minimum for virtual sessions and a three-hour minimum for in-person sessions. Most small-business disputes resolve in two to six hours for a total cost of $700–$2,100, split equally between the parties.
Is business mediation confidential in Florida?
Yes. Florida Statute §44.405 protects all mediation communications. Nothing said during the session can be used as evidence in court, and Kim cannot be called as a witness. Court filings from litigation become part of the public record; mediation agreements do not.
Can Kim Torres mediate a partnership dissolution?
Yes. Partnership dissolutions — including profit-sharing disagreements, buyout negotiations, and management authority conflicts — are a regular part of the caseload. Kim helps former partners divide assets, allocate debts, and formalize the terms of separation in a binding written agreement.
What is the difference between mediation and commercial litigation for a business dispute?
Mediation is voluntary, confidential, and typically costs $700–$2,100 total. Commercial litigation is adversarial, public, and routinely costs $20,000–$100,000+ per party over 12–24 months. You control the outcome in mediation; a judge or jury decides in litigation.
Do both parties have to agree to mediation?
Yes. Mediation is voluntary — both parties must be willing to attend and negotiate in good faith. If one party refuses, the dispute proceeds to litigation. Florida courts can also order mediation in pending civil cases under Florida Statute §44.102.
Can I bring my attorney to a business mediation session?
Yes. You may bring an attorney, a CPA, a financial advisor, or any other professional relevant to the dispute. You may also choose to attend without counsel and have an attorney review the settlement agreement before signing.
What happens if we reach a partial agreement in mediation?
Kim documents the terms both parties agreed to in a written settlement. The unresolved issues proceed to litigation, but the partial agreement reduces the scope and cost of the remaining court proceedings. Even partial resolution saves significant attorney fees.
When should I choose co-mediation over standard mediation?
Co-mediation is well-suited to disputes involving high-dollar claims, multiple parties, or specialized industry knowledge — such as construction defects, professional liability, or complex commercial contracts. Kim co-mediates these cases with a Board-certified civil trial attorney with 30+ years of litigation experience.
Watching a $15,000 vendor dispute balloon into $30,000 in legal fees? Kim Torres has resolved 3,000+ disputes since 2000 — because you own the resolution, not a judge. Schedule your free telephone consultation.
Kim W. Torres, Esq. is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator in Circuit Civil, Family, County Court, and Appellate matters and a member of The Florida Bar since 1985. Practicing exclusively as a mediator since 2000, she has resolved more than 2,000 cases — from complex multi-party disputes to high-emotion matters with self-represented parties. A past Chair of the Florida Bar’s ADR Section and Brevard County’s Circuit Civil Mediator of the Year, Kim mediates throughout Florida, in person and virtually.