Michigan Small Claims Mediation: CDRP, MIResolve, and Settling Before Court

Not every small claims dispute needs to go to a hearing. Michigan offers structured mediation options that can resolve money disputes faster and with less stress than a courtroom proceeding — and district court clerks frequently suggest them before your case even reaches a magistrate.

The Community Dispute Resolution Program (CDRP)

CDRP is a statewide network of mediation centres funded by the State Court Administrative Office. There's a centre serving each of Michigan's 83 counties, staffed by trained mediators who help both sides reach a voluntary agreement. You can reach a local centre through the statewide number 800-8-RESOLVE.

CDRP mediation is free or low-cost for most participants. A neutral mediator facilitates the conversation — they don't decide who's right or rule on the case. If both sides agree to a resolution, they can put it in a written consent judgment or stipulation for dismissal and submit it to the clerk. If you can't reach an agreement, the case can continue in court.

District courts frequently mandate or strongly encourage CDRP pre-hearing mediation. Check with your court about whether participation is required in your case.

MIResolve: Online Mediation

MIResolve is Michigan's free, 24/7 online dispute resolution platform. It lets parties negotiate back and forth through a secure web portal without scheduling an in-person session or taking time off work.

The process works asynchronously — you log in, describe your position, and the other party responds on their own time. A mediator monitors the exchange and can step in to guide the conversation. If you reach an agreement, it's documented through the platform. If not, the case proceeds to the scheduled hearing.

MIResolve works particularly well for straightforward money disputes where the main question is how much, not whether anything is owed — unpaid invoices where the amount is the sticking point, security deposit disputes where the landlord agrees some portion should be returned, or vehicle damage claims where both sides accept fault but disagree on repair costs.

Important Timing Considerations

Mediation does not automatically toll statutory limitation periods; the parties must execute a formal standstill agreement to toll them. A pending hearing date remains on the calendar unless the court grants a formal adjournment. If talks break down the day before the hearing, you still need to show up prepared.

Similarly, mediation does not automatically toll the statute of limitations unless the parties execute a formal standstill agreement. If you're close to the three-year limit for property damage (MCL 600.5805) or the six-year limit for contracts (MCL 600.5807), file your small claims case first and pursue mediation concurrently. You can settle before the hearing and submit a written consent judgment or stipulation for dismissal to the clerk.

When Mediation Makes Sense

Mediation tends to work best when:

• Both parties want to resolve the dispute but disagree on the amount
• There's an ongoing relationship worth preserving (neighbours, business partners, landlord-tenant)
• The facts are mostly undisputed and the conversation is really about a fair number
• You want to avoid the unpredictability of a magistrate's decision

It's less effective when the other party refuses to engage, denies owing anything at all, or has already ignored a demand letter and court papers.

When to Skip Mediation and Go Straight to Court

If the defendant hasn't responded to your demand letter, hasn't engaged with any communication, or if you're dealing with a clear-cut case — a contractor who took a deposit and did no work, a landlord who missed every statutory deadline on your security deposit — mediation may just delay the resolution. File, serve, and let the magistrate decide.

Whether you choose mediation or a courtroom hearing, the Michigan Small Claims Filing Guide provides the forms, service logs, and hearing preparation tools you'll need either way.

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