Does divorce mediation cost less than litigating a divorce?
In most situations, the answer is yes. Here are several reasons why: Commonly, in a divorce mediation as opposed to a litigated divorce, Both spouses retain the mediator to resolve the divorce issues. The spouses, if they choose, may split the cost of the mediation. In effect, the couple saves by paying a single retainer rate instead of two for two separate attorneys. In mediation as opposed to divorce litigation, costly court expenses may be avoided. Although there are a few costs that are necessary in every divorce (i.e., the necessary fee charged by the court for the filing of the divorce documents), a couple can avoid many of the fees typically charged in a litigated family matter. An attorney bills for each action performed on a client’s case. An attorney will bill for each phone call, letter, document drafted, conversation with opposing counsel, and every action taken on a case. Each time an attorney performs an action, the client is billed for it, typically in minimum increments
