FAQ for Divorce Mediation

Why does a mediated divorce cost so much less than a litigated divorce?

While mediators get paid at rates similar to that of attorneys, you only need one mediator between you instead of each of you hiring separate attorneys. This alone cuts your cost in half.

The process goes as fast as you can handle. The more cooperation, the faster the resolution, the lower the cost. It's up to you.

I want to present my spouse with an offer. Can we meet with a mediator separately to help us plan the offer?

Yes, Mediations can be conducted with only one party present. We can meet with each of you privately first or do the whole mediation by phone and e-mail. However, Mediators do not plan strategies or make decisions for either side. Rather, they encourage both sides to discuss the issues in an open and honest way. The fairness in the agreement comes from the parties' sense of fairness, not the mediator's.

We already have attorneys and have been to court, but things aren't going well. Can we still go to mediation?

Absolutely. You can tell your attorneys, or the judge, that you want to negotiate the terms of your separation agreement with the help of a mediator. You can ask them to "stay the action" pending the outcome of the mediation.