|
|
|
|
Cost of Divorce MediationThere are several different styles of mediation, of course, and depending on what style your mediator uses, mediation can get quite expensive. This is particularly true if you're talking about caucus style mediation. For the majority of divorcing couples contemplating some variant of client-empowered mediation, the cost of mediation is a function of three things: (1) any introductory, setup, or memorandum charge, (2) the amount of time you spend in mediation, and (3) your mediator's hourly rate. It's not unusual for divorce mediators to charge $200-300 as a charge to prepare a memorandum of understanding. I don't, but most mediators do. Your time in mediation will vary, of course, depending on how complex your affairs are and how easily the two of you reach agreement. It will also vary depending on how well both of you have prepared for mediation beforehand. My shortest mediations have taken 45 minutes, but that's rare. My longest mediation took 15 hours, but that's even more rare. In general, I usually encourage couples with a house, a retirement plan or two, and minor children to expect to spend between four and six hours in mediation. Typically, you'll pay for each session at the end of that session. Remember as you think through the cost of mediation that your mediator won't be able to file your divorce documents. If you're not able to file your own divorce documents, you'll end up paying at least one lawyer to convert the results of mediation to the filing documents for an uncontested divorce. |
|
|
