The majority of divorce mediations are billed by hourly or per session fees. An exception is a mediation that is ordered by a court or conducted by a community-based agency. This type of agency often provides assistance at reduced rates or even at no cost.
The cost of private mediation will vary since it depends largely on the couple involved and the number of issues to be negotiated. However, it should be noted that divorce mediation will often cost much less than adversarial litigation. It also has a higher success rate.
Mediators that work in private practice could charge anywhere from $50 to a few hundred dollars an hour.
How Long Does Divorce Mediation Take?
Very often it is a much shorter and more streamlined process that litigation. It could take a single day but usually includes several sessions on separate days over weeks or months.
How Does a Divorcing Couple Find a Divorce Mediator?
Mediators are usually found by word-of-mouth referrals but the process is still fairly new in some states so this may not always be practical. Some independent research will probably uncover a good legal firm that offers mediation or a mediator working in private practice.
Is Divorce Mediation Better Than Working Through a Lawyer?
Many couples prefer divorce mediation because:
- It takes less time and results in a more solid agreement than working through the courts.
- If the relationship between the parties will be ongoing, i.e. if the couple has kids together, then mediation improves communication channels and make negotiations on complex issues smoother and relatively stress-free.
- On the flipside some couples find communication with each other impossible (even with help). There are cases where domestic violence or substance abuse are involved and cases where one spouse refuses to be involved in mediation. In such cases you may want to consult a lawyer in a limited capacity and combine it with some degree of mediation.
