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Mediators in South Dakota

110 mediators in South Dakota listed from official court and government rosters, for divorce and family mediation, civil cases and more. Every profile links to its source.

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South Dakota mediators by county

Counties with the most listings

All 21 counties

How it works

  1. 1. Find a certified mediator near youSearch by city, ZIP or county. Court-verified listings come only from official court and government rosters.
  2. 2. Compare profiles and callCheck certifications, languages and the source for each listing, then call or send a request.
  3. 3. Resolve it without going to courtA mediator helps you both talk it through and reach your own agreement.

How does mediation work in South Dakota?

Sources · last reviewed 2026-10-07

  • Court programs and when mediation is required

    Applicants must also commit to following the Uniform Mediation Act as promulgated by the South Dakota Supreme Court [1].

  • Family and custody cases

    Mediation is not ordered when a parent has been convicted of domestic abuse or certain assaults, when a parent has a history of domestic abuse, or when mediation is not readily available or appropriate [2].

  • Who can mediate in South Dakota courts

    The Unified Judicial System posts lists of court-approved mediators by judicial circuit [1].

  • Cost

    In South Dakota, when parents dispute custody or visitation, the court must order mediation to help them make or change a parenting plan, and it splits the cost between the parties [2]. To be approved, a mediator applies to the circuit administrator in their judicial circuit and describes their training, experience, methods and fees [1].

Summarized from the official sources cited in brackets. Last reviewed 2026-10-07. Court programs change; confirm with your court. This is general information, not legal advice.

Divorce mediation in South Dakota (52)Parenting coordinators (23)Divorce mediation attorneys (3)
110 listed
110 listedSorted: paid placements (labeled) first, then most complete profile, then A–Z

Mediators who work online with South Dakota clients

These mediators say they work with South Dakota clients online. They are on other states’ official rosters (shown on each listing), not South Dakota’s. Where they serve is their own statement. Sorted: placements first (paid ones are labeled), then most complete profile.

Court-ordered case? Courts may require a mediator from their own approved list for court-ordered cases. Check your court’s rules, or see how mediation works in South Dakota.

Court-connected mediation in South Dakota: When a South Dakota court orders mediation of a custody or visitation dispute, the statute says it appoints a mediator from its list of court-approved mediators. Listed mediators apply to each circuit's presiding judge and meet training and experience minimums.

Private mediation in South Dakota: South Dakota's mediator qualification statute covers court-appointed family mediators. No state license for private mediators was found in the sources reviewed, and no rule on online or out-of-state mediators was found.

Sources: SDCL 25-4-56, South Dakota Legislature · SDCL 25-4-57, South Dakota Legislature · SDCL 25-4-58, South Dakota Legislature · SDCL 25-4-58.1 (minimum qualifications for family court mediators), South Dakota Legislature · Approved Mediators, South Dakota Unified Judicial System · partly verified

Search online mediators for South Dakota · Online mediators in every state

Other mediators on South Dakota rosters, A–Z (8)

South Dakota mediators in numbers

Real counts from the official rosters behind this directory. Each chart has a data table and a shareable image.

South Dakota: the 10 counties with the most mediators listed

South Dakota: the 10 counties with the most mediators listedPennington County has the most mediators listed in South Dakota (25), followed by Minnehaha County (13). Counts use each mediator's home county on the roster. Pennington County: 25; Minnehaha County: 13; Codington County: 9; Hughes County: 7; Lincoln County: 5; Yankton County: 5; Butte County: 4; Brown County: 3; Lake County: 3; Lawrence County: 3.Pennington County: 25 mediatorsPennington County25Minnehaha County: 13 mediatorsMinnehaha County13Codington County: 9 mediatorsCodington County9Hughes County: 7 mediatorsHughes County7Lincoln County: 5 mediatorsLincoln County5Yankton County: 5 mediatorsYankton County5Butte County: 4 mediatorsButte County4Brown County: 3 mediatorsBrown County3Lake County: 3 mediatorsLake County3Lawrence County: 3 mediatorsLawrence County3

Pennington County has the most mediators listed in South Dakota (25), followed by Minnehaha County (13). Counts use each mediator's home county on the roster.

Source: Counted from official court and government rosters (source and verified date on every profile); latest roster check 2026-10-08.

Show data table
South Dakota: the 10 counties with the most mediators listed
CountyMediators
Pennington County25
Minnehaha County13
Codington County9
Hughes County7
Lincoln County5
Yankton County5
Butte County4
Brown County3
Lake County3
Lawrence County3
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South Dakota: certifications and court panels

South Dakota: certifications and court panelsThe most common listing is South Dakota UJS court-approved mediator (73 mediators). Many mediators hold more than one certification, so the bars add up to more than the 110 people listed. South Dakota UJS court-approved mediator: 73; not vetted or approved by UJS): 33; South Dakota UJS child custody evaluator list (listed: 33; South Dakota UJS court-approved parenting coordinator: 23; Iowa Judicial Branch - Statewide List of Family Law Mediators: 4; Minnesota Rule 114 roster: Civil Facilitative/Hybrid: 2; Minnesota Rule 114 roster: Family Law Facilitative/Hybrid: 1; Other (3 more certifications or panels): 3.South Dakota UJS court-approved mediator: 73 mediatorsSouth Dakota UJS court-approved mediator73not vetted or approved by UJS): 33 mediatorsnot vetted or approved by UJS)33South Dakota UJS child custody evaluator list (listed: 33 mediatorsSouth Dakota UJS child custody evaluator list (listed33South Dakota UJS court-approved parenting coordinator: 23 mediatorsSouth Dakota UJS court-approved parenting coordinator23Iowa Judicial Branch - Statewide List of Family Law Mediators: 4 mediatorsIowa Judicial Branch - Statewide List of Family Law Mediato…4Minnesota Rule 114 roster: Civil Facilitative/Hybrid: 2 mediatorsMinnesota Rule 114 roster: Civil Facilitative/Hybrid2Minnesota Rule 114 roster: Family Law Facilitative/Hybrid: 1 mediatorsMinnesota Rule 114 roster: Family Law Facilitative/Hybrid1Other (3 more certifications or panels): 3 mediatorsOther (3 more certifications or panels)3

The most common listing is South Dakota UJS court-approved mediator (73 mediators). Many mediators hold more than one certification, so the bars add up to more than the 110 people listed.

Certification and panel names are as the roster states them.

Source: Counted from official court and government rosters (source and verified date on every profile); latest roster check 2026-10-08.

Show data table
South Dakota: certifications and court panels
CategoryMediators
South Dakota UJS court-approved mediator73
not vetted or approved by UJS)33
South Dakota UJS child custody evaluator list (listed33
South Dakota UJS court-approved parenting coordinator23
Iowa Judicial Branch - Statewide List of Family Law Mediators4
Minnesota Rule 114 roster: Civil Facilitative/Hybrid2
Minnesota Rule 114 roster: Family Law Facilitative/Hybrid1
Other (3 more certifications or panels)3
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South Dakota: attorney and non-attorney mediators

South Dakota: attorney and non-attorney mediators4 of 110 mediators listed in South Dakota (4%) have a roster background that lists them as an attorney. Mediators act as neutrals and don't represent either side. Roster background lists them as an attorney: 4; Other background or not stated: 106.Roster background lists them as an attorney: 4 mediatorsRoster background lists them as an attorney4Other background or not stated: 106 mediatorsOther background or not stated106

4 of 110 mediators listed in South Dakota (4%) have a roster background that lists them as an attorney. Mediators act as neutrals and don't represent either side.

Not every roster records a mediator's background, so “not stated” includes attorneys whose roster doesn't say.

Source: Counted from official court and government rosters (source and verified date on every profile); latest roster check 2026-10-08.

Show data table
South Dakota: attorney and non-attorney mediators
CategoryMediators
Roster background lists them as an attorney4
Other background or not stated106
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Know before you go: South Dakota mediation FAQ

How do South Dakota courts use mediation, and when is it required?

Applicants must also commit to following the Uniform Mediation Act as promulgated by the South Dakota Supreme Court [1].

Source: Approved Mediators, South Dakota Unified Judicial System

How does mediation work in South Dakota family and custody cases?

Mediation is not ordered when a parent has been convicted of domestic abuse or certain assaults, when a parent has a history of domestic abuse, or when mediation is not readily available or appropriate [2].

Source: SDCL 25-4-56, South Dakota Legislature

Who can be a court mediator in South Dakota?

The Unified Judicial System posts lists of court-approved mediators by judicial circuit [1].

Source: Approved Mediators, South Dakota Unified Judicial System

How much does court-connected mediation cost in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, when parents dispute custody or visitation, the court must order mediation to help them make or change a parenting plan, and it splits the cost between the parties [2]. To be approved, a mediator applies to the circuit administrator in their judicial circuit and describes their training, experience, methods and fees [1].

Sources: SDCL 25-4-56, South Dakota Legislature · Approved Mediators, South Dakota Unified Judicial System

Does a court-ordered case in South Dakota need a mediator from the court's list?

When a South Dakota court orders mediation of a custody or visitation dispute, the statute says it appoints a mediator from its list of court-approved mediators. Listed mediators apply to each circuit's presiding judge and meet training and experience minimums.

Sources: SDCL 25-4-56, South Dakota Legislature · SDCL 25-4-57, South Dakota Legislature · SDCL 25-4-58, South Dakota Legislature · SDCL 25-4-58.1 (minimum qualifications for family court mediators), South Dakota Legislature · Approved Mediators, South Dakota Unified Judicial System · partly verified

Can I use a private or online mediator from another state for a South Dakota matter?

South Dakota's mediator qualification statute covers court-appointed family mediators. No state license for private mediators was found in the sources reviewed, and no rule on online or out-of-state mediators was found.

Sources: SDCL 25-4-56, South Dakota Legislature · SDCL 25-4-57, South Dakota Legislature · SDCL 25-4-58, South Dakota Legislature · SDCL 25-4-58.1 (minimum qualifications for family court mediators), South Dakota Legislature · Approved Mediators, South Dakota Unified Judicial System · partly verified

Answers come only from the official sources cited. General information, not legal advice.

Official links and sources for South Dakota

Official links

Sources cited above

  1. Approved Mediators, South Dakota Unified Judicial System
  2. SDCL 25-4-56, South Dakota Legislature

Last reviewed 2026-10-07.