What to Know About Mediators Charge Their Clients

Mediation is a popular alternative to divorce litigation because it can save divorcing spouses a great deal of money. However, there are still costs associated with the process, so it is important to understand what and how mediators charge so you can plan ahead with your finances.

There are a couple different types of private divorce mediators:

• Attorney-mediators: These are mediators who are trained in mediation and also likely have a background in family law.
• Non-attorney mediators: These mediators might not have a background in family law, but typically have other related credentials, such as certification in marriage and family therapy or as financial analysts for divorces.

Each of these types of mediators will either charge their clients by the hour, by the session or as a flat rate (with a cap on sessions or hours). However, you can expect to pay more for an attorney-mediator given their additional experience in and knowledge of family law. Their services may cost twice or more what you would receive from a non-attorney mediator.

Keep in mind you may also have to pay for the services of other professionals outside of mediators, including financial planners and experts who can pore over all of the financial documentation provided by both spouses to help determine equitable arrangements for your divorce. You will likely also still need to pay an attorney to represent you during mediation if you want someone to advocate for you, but legal fees for mediation are nowhere near what they would be for litigation.

It’s best to speak to a potential mediator before deciding to schedule a session to get complete information about their fee structures and payment methods so you can incorporate that into your decision making.

For more information about selecting a mediator to work with in your divorce, contact an experienced Long Island divorce lawyer at Solutions Divorce Mediation.