How long does divorce mediation take?
If you hire an experienced, competent Divorce Mediator, Divorce Mediation is almost always much faster than traditional litigation. It is conducted through a session or series of sessions between the divorcing couple and the Divorce Mediator. The scheduling of the sessions are largely up to the divorcing couple, so the amount of time it takes to complete a Divorce Mediation is largely in the hands of the divorcing couple. This is one of the benefits of Divorce Mediation, i.e., the couple that is divorcing controls the schedule – not the lawyers and courts.
At NCMC, mediation of a full, comprehensive divorce averages between 3 to 6 or 8 sessions. Some people take less time and some take more time, depending on the complexity and number of issues, and the level of conflict. Each session is a minimum of one hour, and is usually between 1 ½ to 2 hours. The parties and mediator together decide when and how often they will meet. The range of time to complete a mediation and obtain a final divorce can be anywhere between a few weeks to a few years. The timing depends on the readiness of each party.
It is difficult to predict. The complexity of issues and how quickly consensus is reached are two factors that affect how long mediation will take. Most couples resolve matters in four to six sessions, though some may take longer. Sessions are scheduled at the pace and convenience of the participants. Back to top.
