Real Estate Dispute Mediation • Florida

Real Estate Dispute Mediation Attorney

Mediation for failed closings, escrow and earnest-money deposit disputes, purchase-and-sale contracts, easements, boundaries, title and ownership conflicts, hidden defects, partition matters and other complex Florida real estate disputes.

Real Estate & Litigation Perspective Escrow & Deposit Disputes Property Rights & Title Statewide Florida Matters
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Real estate contract and property dispute mediation in St. Augustine Florida
Mediation Scheduling & Coordination

Coordinate a Real Estate Dispute Mediation

Real estate mediations are coordinated directly with our Mediation Manager. Contact Becky Ferris for available dates, tentative holds, multi-party scheduling, title-company or escrow-agent coordination, and in-person or virtual mediation logistics.

Dates

Request Available Dates

Coordinate possible mediation dates with counsel, parties and other necessary participants.

Holds

Request a Tentative Hold

Reserve a potential date while buyers, sellers, owners, counsel and other participants confirm availability.

Multi-Party Matters

Coordinate Multiple Calendars

Coordinate brokers, title professionals, escrow agents, insurers, surveyors, experts and counsel when necessary.

Logistics

In-Person or Virtual

Arrange private conference rooms, breakout spaces or virtual participation based on the dispute.

Neutrality: When an SJLG attorney serves as mediator, the mediator acts as a neutral and does not represent any buyer, seller, owner, broker, escrow holder or other party in the dispute.
Becky Ferris Mediation Manager at St. Johns Law Group
Mediation Manager Becky Ferris

Contact for scheduling, holds, and multi-party coordination.

rferris@sjlawgroup.com (904) 907-2562
For Attorneys: To request dates, place a tentative hold, or coordinate multiple parties in a real estate dispute, contact Becky Ferris at rferris@sjlawgroup.com or (904) 907-2562 .
James G. Whitehouse mediator at St. Johns Law Group
Florida Bar Board Certified
Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist designation for James G. Whitehouse
Featured Real Estate Dispute Mediator

James G. Whitehouse

James G. Whitehouse is a mediator and Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in City, County & Local Government Law. His experience includes real estate, development, property rights, land use, governmental and complex civil matters.

St. Johns Law Group also maintains an active real estate litigation and transactional practice. That broader perspective is particularly useful where a dispute involves contracts, escrow deposits, title, easements, surveys, development rights, property condition or the practical economics of a transaction.

  • Failed closings
  • Escrow & deposit disputes
  • Contract disputes
  • Easements & access
  • Boundary disputes
  • Title & ownership claims
  • Hidden defects
  • Partition & co-owner disputes
Real estate disputes often involve both legal rights and practical property considerations.
Meaningful settlement may require evaluating contract language, escrow provisions, title issues, surveys, appraisals, repair costs, financing, market conditions, property access, development potential and litigation risk.
Meet James Whitehouse Mediators & Mediation Center
Property • Transactions • Ownership • Access

Why Mediate a Real Estate Dispute?

Property litigation can delay closings, restrict access, cloud title, impair development and leave substantial money tied up while the dispute proceeds through court.

Protect the Transaction

Mediation may allow a transaction to close through revised terms, extensions, credits, repairs or other negotiated solutions.

Resolve Escrow Faster

Deposit disputes can leave substantial funds tied up. Mediation provides a forum to negotiate release or allocation.

Preserve Property Value

Resolving access, title, boundary or defect disputes may protect marketability and future use of the property.

Avoid Uncertain Remedies

Parties can weigh specific performance, damages, rescission, injunctions and other litigation risks.

Create Property-Specific Solutions

Settlement may include easement modifications, boundary agreements, repairs, access rights, closing terms or property divisions.

Control Litigation Expense

Mediation may reduce the need for depositions, surveys, appraisals, experts, motion practice and trial.

Real Estate Mediation Services

Real Estate Disputes We Mediate

Real estate disputes can involve contracts, money, property rights, title, access, condition and ownership— sometimes all in the same case.

Failed Closings & Contract Disputes

Buyer or seller defaults, cancellation rights, contingencies, specific performance, termination, damages and closing obligations.

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Escrow & Earnest-Money Deposits

Deposit entitlement, escrow disputes, failed transactions, competing demands, cancellation and interpleader issues.

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Easements & Access Disputes

Express, implied and prescriptive easements, rights-of-way, blocked access, utilities, maintenance and scope-of-use disputes.

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Boundary & Encroachment Disputes

Survey conflicts, fences, driveways, structures, encroachments, adverse possession and disputed property lines.

Explore Real Estate Litigation

Quiet Title & Ownership Disputes

Competing claims, deed issues, title defects, unreleased liens, legal-description problems, tax deeds and ownership uncertainty.

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Hidden Defects & Disclosure Claims

Water intrusion, structural problems, code issues, seller disclosures, misrepresentation and Johnson v. Davis claims.

Explore Real Estate Litigation

Partition & Co-Owner Disputes

Co-owner conflicts, sale or division of property, contribution claims, expenses, possession and negotiated ownership exits.

Explore Real Estate Litigation

Commercial Lease Disputes

Defaults, rent, operating expenses, renewals, repairs, use restrictions, possession and termination.

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Other Property & Real Estate Litigation

Property damage, title insurance, development obligations, fraud, ownership claims and other complex disputes.

Explore Real Estate Litigation
Multi-Party Real Estate Mediation

Who May Participate?

Real estate disputes frequently involve participants beyond the buyer, seller or property owner.

Buyers
Sellers
Property Owners
Co-Owners
Developers
Brokers & Realtors
Title Professionals
Escrow Holders
Surveyors
Appraisers
Insurance Representatives
Legal Counsel
St. Augustine Mediation Center

Professional Space for Complex Property Disputes

St. Johns Law Group provides a main conference room and multiple private breakout rooms for real estate mediations involving buyers, sellers, owners, brokers, title professionals, insurers, experts and counsel.

Separate rooms allow confidential caucuses while keeping the parties and decision-makers available in one professional setting.

For mediations that span the lunch hour, St. Johns Law Group provides lunch for mediation participants. Our office also maintains a stocked breakroom with complimentary drinks and snacks throughout the mediation.

Main Conference Room
Multiple Breakout Rooms
Multi-Party Coordination
Lunch for Extended Sessions
Complimentary Drinks & Snacks
Virtual Mediation Available
Take a Look Inside Our Mediation Center
Main real estate dispute mediation conference room at St. Johns Law Group Main Mediation Conference Room
Real estate mediation conference room at St. Johns Law Group Private breakout room for real estate mediation Private conference room for property dispute mediation St. Johns Law Group mediation facilities in St. Augustine Florida

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What to Expect

The Real Estate Dispute Mediation Process

Effective property mediation starts with understanding the transaction, governing documents, property rights and the practical result each party is seeking.

1

Coordinate

Becky coordinates dates, parties, counsel, experts and mediation logistics.

2

Review

Review contracts, escrow documents, deeds, surveys, title materials and key evidence.

3

Assess Risk

Evaluate remedies, title issues, property value, damages, experts and trial risk.

4

Negotiate

Explore financial, transactional and property-specific settlement solutions.

5

Document

Counsel can document settlement, releases, property terms and future obligations.

Why St. Johns Law Group

Real Estate Experience Meets Litigation Perspective

Real estate disputes often require an understanding of the transaction that created the dispute and the litigation that may follow if the matter cannot be resolved.

01

Transactional Real Estate Perspective

SJLG handles real estate contracts, closings, title matters and commercial and residential transactions.

  • Purchase & sale contracts
  • Escrow and closing issues
  • Title and property rights
02

Active Property Litigation Perspective

SJLG attorneys continue to handle contested real estate matters involving contracts, ownership, access, boundaries, defects and damages.

  • Contract remedies
  • Survey and expert evidence
  • Trial and injunction risk
03

Built for Complex Property Disputes

Private conference rooms and dedicated coordination support matters involving multiple parties, professionals and decision-makers.

  • Dedicated Mediation Manager
  • Multiple private breakout rooms
  • Lunch, drinks and snacks for extended sessions
Real Estate Mediation FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can mediation resolve an earnest-money or escrow deposit dispute?
Yes. Mediation can allow buyers and sellers to evaluate cancellation rights, contractual deadlines, contingencies and competing claims to the deposit while negotiating an agreed allocation or release of escrowed funds.
Can a failed real estate closing be mediated?
Yes. Parties may negotiate an extended closing, revised purchase price, credits, repairs, financing terms, cancellation, damages or other solutions depending on the dispute.
Can easement disputes be resolved through mediation?
Often. Settlement may address access, location, width, maintenance, gates, utilities, relocation, permitted uses and future obligations.
Can a boundary dispute be mediated?
Yes. Survey evidence and property-use issues can be evaluated while parties explore boundary agreements, easements, relocation of improvements, compensation or other property-specific solutions.
Can title and ownership disputes be mediated?
Some title and ownership disputes may be suitable for mediation, particularly when the parties can resolve competing claims, execute corrective documents, allocate funds, or otherwise agree on a path toward marketable title.
Can hidden-defect claims be mediated?
Yes. Mediation can address disclosure issues, causation, repair costs, expert opinions, damages and potential rescission or settlement terms.
Can partition disputes between co-owners be mediated?
Yes. Co-owners may negotiate a sale, buyout, property division, allocation of expenses, credits or other terms that avoid a litigated partition.
Is lunch provided when mediation spans the lunch hour?
Yes. For mediations that span the lunch hour, St. Johns Law Group provides lunch for mediation participants. Complimentary drinks and snacks are also available from our stocked breakroom throughout the session.
Can real estate mediation be conducted virtually?
Yes. In-person and virtual mediation can be coordinated depending on the parties, counsel, experts and needs of the dispute.
Who coordinates dates, holds and multiple parties?
Contact Becky Ferris, Mediation Manager at rferris@sjlawgroup.com or (904) 907-2562 .
Where can I learn about other St. Johns Law Group mediation services?
Visit the St. Johns Law Group Mediators & Mediation Center to explore our mediators, facilities and other mediation practices.
Recent Legal Insights

Recent Florida Mediation Articles

Recent St. Johns Law Group articles and practical resources addressing mediation, dispute resolution and settlement strategy.

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Mediation Scheduling & Coordination

Need to Coordinate a Real Estate Dispute Mediation?

Contact Becky Ferris for available dates, tentative holds, multi-party scheduling, conference-room arrangements or virtual mediation logistics.

Email Mediation Manager Call (904) 907-2562 Explore Mediation Center

Becky Ferris • Mediation Manager

Scheduling • Holds • Multi-Party Coordination

rferris@sjlawgroup.com  •  (904) 907-2562

Real Estate Litigation Representation

Need a Real Estate Litigation Attorney Instead of a Neutral Mediator?

Mediation and legal representation are different roles. When an SJLG attorney serves as mediator, the mediator remains neutral.

If you instead need an attorney to represent you in a contract, escrow, deposit, easement, boundary, title, hidden-defect, partition or other property dispute, St. Johns Law Group can evaluate the matter separately.

Call (904) 495-0400 Explore Real Estate Litigation Explore Mediation Services
Request Legal Representation

Tell Us About the Real Estate Dispute

This form is for requests for legal representation. It is not used to schedule mediation.

Submission does not create an attorney-client relationship. Do not send confidential or sensitive information until conflicts have been cleared and an attorney-client relationship has been established.