Minnesota Mediation Services

Navigating Life’s Toughest Conversations

Welcome to Still Waters Mediation

At Still Waters, we believe that amidst life’s rough waves, calmer waters are always within reach. Our mission is to support you in navigating your way there.

We offer mediation services to help families resolve conflicts and make important decisions regarding elder care, estate distribution, and probate disputes. These situations can quickly become overwhelming, whether you’re deciding how to care for an aging parent, addressing concerns about a loved one’s capacity, or managing disagreements during the probate process. Our experienced Minnesota mediators provide professional, compassionate guidance, fostering a respectful environment where families communicate productively, reduce conflict, and achieve agreements that help everyone move ahead with peace of mind.

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Get Started

We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our services and find resources that can support your journey toward resolution. When you’re ready, reach out to us to schedule an initial phone call. Together, we’ll work toward a solution that meets your needs and goals.

Why Choose Mediation?

Mediation focuses on facilitating dialogue to allow for personal empowerment and mutual recognition.

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Empowerment

Each party is encouraged to express their needs and concerns openly, gaining a clearer understanding of their own perspectives and those of others. This helps individuals make more informed decisions and fosters a sense of personal agency in the resolution process.

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Recognition

The mediator facilitates a dialogue that encourages clarity of the interests of both parties. This mutual recognition promotes empathy and understanding, which can lead to more meaningful and sustainable resolutions.

Mediation is:

Cost-Effective

Mediation often costs significantly less than going to court, saving you money on legal fees and court expenses.

Confidential

Mediation sessions are private and confidential, providing a safe space to discuss sensitive issues without public exposure.

Control and Flexibility

Mediation gives you and the other party control over the outcome, allowing for more flexible and creative solutions tailored to your needs.

Less Adversarial

Mediation promotes a collaborative approach rather than an adversarial one experienced in a traditional courtroom.

Empowerment

You have the opportunity to actively participate in crafting the solution.

The Process

Your journey to calm waters starts with a simple phone call. This conversation will help you understand the mediation process better. Our mediator will outline the next steps, ensuring you feel ready to move forward. All parties involved in the conflict situation voluntarily agree to participate and have their voices heard.

The next step is to schedule the mediation meeting. Mediation sessions are typically scheduled for 4 hours, but the length is dependent on the needs of the individuals involved in the conflict. The mediation meeting is professional and confidential while also being less formal and more adaptable to ensure parties are comfortable expressing their needs.

Parties are encouraged to meet together with the mediator in the same room; however, we understand there are situations in which parties would like to meet separately with the mediator. Parties may request individual meetings with the mediator at any time throughout the process.

Portrait of Molly Darsow, a Minnesota mediator with a background in counseling and group facilitation, smiling outdoors in professional attire.

Owner, Molly Darsow

Molly Darsow has a strong background in counseling and group facilitation, providing a compassionate, professional, and insightful approach to mediation. She has extensive experience helping individuals and groups navigate dynamics, manage complex emotions, clarify their values, and achieve their goals.

Molly is a qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. She is an active volunteer mediator with the Dispute Resolution Center and a board member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution section of the MN State Bar Association, as well as a member of the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation.

Molly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamline University, with a focus on Conflict Studies, as well as a Master of Science in Human Services. Additionally, she has a Master’s certificate in Addiction Counseling from Winona State University. Molly is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Education and is a voluntarily retired licensee from the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health.