Factors That Affect the Cost of Divorce Mediation

Divorce mediation will almost always be a cheaper alternative to litigation. But how much specifically can you expect to pay for mediation? This depends on a variety of factors.

Usually the total cost for mediation will be somewhere between $3,000 and $8,000, and most couples will split the fee 50-50. The total amount you expect to pay will hinge on the following:

• The mediator’s rate: Mediators will charge either hourly or per session rates. Those rates, in turn, vary based on the mediator’s experience, location and specialized training. If the mediator is also an attorney, there’s a decent chance the price will be higher than if the mediator is not an attorney. Sessions might be a couple hours, half a day or a full day, and prices again vary based on the previously mentioned factors.
• Case complexity: What types of issues are at stake in the divorce? The more complex the issues, the more the mediation is likely to cost, because it will probably take more time/sessions to work through those complicated issues.
• Personalities: How much is the couple actually willing to engage in mediation? If one spouse is dragging their feet or refusing to be an active participant, this will make the process much more difficult, and thus longer and more expensive. In addition, if there is a high level of conflict between the spouses, it may take more time to break through those issues and manage emotions to the point where negotiation even becomes possible.
• Remote rates: In some cases, mediators that offer remote sessions may charge reduced rates for those appointments.
• Additional services: There may be additional services that get tacked on to your mediation bill, including setup fees, hourly fees for time spent on the case between sessions, fees for writing up a draft of the settlement agreement and fees for handling other paperwork associated with the divorce.

For more information about how much you can expect to pay for divorce mediation, contact an experienced Long Island attorney at Solutions Divorce Mediation.