Here are some common mediation questions:
1. How does Mediation save money?
Many couples have used divorce mediation because it minimizes the animosity and provides more control over the divorce process (you are a part of the solution). However, a primary factor why more people are seeking to use divorce mediation is because it saves them money. Money that can be used for the children, or other family needs.
2. What are the costs of divorce mediation?
Divorce mediation can run from the hundreds to the low thousands, depending on the complexity of the issues involved and the level of disagreement between spouses. It is rare to exceed $5000
3. What are the attorney costs for a litigated divorce?
Costs can go sky high. Each party usually pays their own attorney a retainer of at least $5000, and fees go up from there. The average litigated divorce in San Diego costs $20,000. It is not unheard of for fees to far exceed that.
4. Can you Pay As You Go?
Yes, in most divorce mediations, you pay for each mediation at the time of the session. You also pay for document preparation of court papers beforehand, but with a small retainer at the beginning to cover costs that arise between sessions, you can proceed with the divorce at a pace your finances allow.
5. Is there a Shared Cost, and how does it differ from litigation?
Usually, each party splits the cost of the mediation, but the decisions on cost are individual to each family as to how they handle matter such as this. With litigated divorces, one party can force deadlines for discovery and hearings, or delay the process and ultimately driving the other party's cost upwards.
6. What about Collaborative Divorce?
Collaborative Divorce involves professionals from several disciplines, that include psychologists; mediators; accountants; financial planners; lawyers and vocational evaluators. In some cases all of these specialists are necessary, and In other situations the issues do not need input from each one. Because of this the costs on a collaborative divorce can often be higher than Mediation alone.