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How Much Divorce Mediation Costs: What You Can Expect
You’ve heard divorce mediation costs less than traditional divorce litigation. This is true for the most part. But exactly how much does divorce mediation or a divorce mediator cost?
The Philadelphia divorce mediators at Peaceful Separation and Divorce explain the cost of mediation, factors which may affect the price, possible external costs you may incur while in divorce mediation, and how it all compares with divorce litigation.
If you are considering divorce mediation, call Peaceful Separation and Divorce. We explain the divorce mediation process, our mediation services, and review all possible fees, so you know from day one what divorce mediation potentially costs.
How Much Does Divorce Mediation Cost?
A recent estimate of the cost of divorce mediation is $3,000 to $8,000. Divorcing spouses usually share the cost of mediation, so divorce mediation costs $1,500 to $4,000 per person. Some mediators provide flat fee packages that may cost $4,000 to $5,000 but may be limited by the number of sessions covered.
The typical cost of divorce mediation is the price for each session (multiplied by the number of sessions), expenses in preparing your divorce documents such as a marital settlement agreement, office time of the mediator between sessions and court fees.
How Divorce Mediators May Charge for Their Services
Divorce mediators usually charge by the hour or session. Regardless of how a divorce mediator’s fee is structured, it would be best if you enter into a fee agreement detailing the costs upfront before any mediation sessions occur.
Private mediators who are attorneys may charge more per session or per hour. Depending upon the experience of your divorce mediation lawyer, you might pay $300 – $400 per hour.
Ultimately, the cost of your divorce mediation is determined by your locality, and the number of divorce mediation sessions you require. Our mediators at Peaceful Separation and Divorce bill by the hour or per mediation session.
Factors Which May Affect the Cost of Divorce Mediation
Set-Up Fee
A divorce mediator may charge preparation time for each session, or to prepare and file your divorce paperwork with the court system. You should review your retainer agreement to determine if this is the case.
Complexity of Assets
It takes longer to resolve the issues in your divorce case if you and your spouse have complex marital assets such as property in another state or country, a sole or jointly owned business, pensions, retirement accounts or other investments, antiques, art, or other collectibles, or complex assets. Also, you may need the help of appraisers, tax consultants, real estate appraisers, or other professionals to accurately assess your marital property for the purposes of property distribution.
How Many Sessions You Need
The number of private mediation sessions you need and how long the mediation process lasts varies depending on how far apart you and your spouse are on issues you cannot agree on and how many of those issues there are. Also, we find some people take more time to decide how to resolve issues.
How many divorce issues are you struggling with? If you agree on most things, this shortens mediation. If you disagree on most things, this lengthens mediation.
Conflict Level
If one spouse cannot set aside their anger or resentment over the divorce, that necessarily adds to the time it takes to reach a consensus and costs more. At times, we may gently suggest you seek support from a therapist or counselor.
Willingness to Cooperate
Mediation can be as inexpensive or as expensive as you make it if you find it difficult to negotiate or agree with your spouse. Another factor affecting the cost of divorce mediation is the presence of the following issues.
Child Custody Discussions
The mediation process during an uncontested divorce can be longer if you are finding it difficult to find common ground with your spouse on issues such as the child custody , child support, or who is to pay for child-related expenses not included in the child support guidelines.
If this is the only issue you cannot agree on, the court may order you into court-sponsored mediation, which is typically no- or low-cost. Court-sponsored mediation only exists in some counties in PA.
Private vs Community-Based Mediation
Court-sponsored mediation programs may be no-cost or low-cost. These programs may be available if a judge has ordered you into mediation. Most court-sponsored mediation programs only handle child custody and visitation issues.
Court-sponsored mediation is usually limited to one session. If a family law judge has ordered you to engage in mediation, or if county court rules provide for it, you always have the option of hiring a trained mediator for as long as you and your spouse need. A private mediator may have the most experience in the particular issues you are having difficulty resolving, whether they are financial, personal, or legal, and may be best equipped to help you find answers expediently.
Session Cancellations
Your retainer agreement spells out the process for missed or canceled sessions. There can be a cost for missing scheduled sessions.
External Costs in Divorce Mediation
Lawyer
If you feel uncertain about the agreements you reach in mediation, you should consult with a divorce attorney on your own. Your mediator does not represent either party in the process and instead acts as a neutral third party. Some people choose to engage their own attorney to advise them privately. Also, some parties like to have the support of their own lawyer during the entire process despite incurring legal fees.
Experts
You may need the help of accountants, tax experts, pension experts, and appraisers to assess the value of your marital property. Hiring experts can increase your expenses.
Court and Service Fees
Even if your divorce mediator prepares and files your divorce documents and court forms, there are court fees you must pay.
How the Cost of Divorce Mediation Compares with Litigation
Litigation is an adversarial process that is almost always lengthier than mediation. Your divorce lawyer will charge you their hourly rate for services such as client meetings, legal research, case preparation, traveling to and appearing in court, preparing you to testify, drafting pleadings, preparing documents divorce forms such as a divorce settlement agreement, and copying and mailing all documents. Court fees can increase the actual cost of a litigated divorce case.
In a highly contested litigated divorce, litigation can cost many thousands of dollars in attorneys fees, or more, compared to a mediated divorce. Litigation can take months or even years to reach finality.
If you and your spouse put your differences aside to preserve family assets, save money, and control the outcome, you should seriously consider private divorce mediation. Even if not every issue is resolved through divorce mediation, you will have learned to negotiate and compromise with your spouse. These are skills you need going forward, especially if you have children you must co-parent.
Talk with a Divorce Mediator at Peaceful Separation & Divorce
Call the divorce mediators at Peaceful Separation and Divorce if you are considering divorce mediation instead of the formal courtroom divorce process. We assess your case and provide you with an explanation of what our divorce mediation services can do for you and what it will cost you. Call us today. We look forward to helping you and your family through your divorce.