How long does divorce mediation take?
Because all couples who come to divorce mediation have their own, unique set of circumstances, it is difficult to predict how long the process will take. On average, mediation with couples who have children and who own their home takes 3-4 sessions. Mediation with couples who do not have children averages one-two sessions. The mediation process can always be completed in a fraction of the time that it takes to divorce in the traditional manner. Mediation sessions usually last 1 1/2 hours.
This varies from case to case. If you and your spouse are in substantial agreement on most issues, mediation may require only three or four sessions. However, if either of you is very angry and uncooperative, or if there are substantial or complex issues involved, additional sessions may be needed. You and your spouse are in charge of developing your own agreement, so the extent to which both of you can be open, honest, cooperative and respectful are important factors in determining how long mediation will take. Regardless of how quickly you may complete the divorce mediation process, Connecticut imposes a 90-day “cooling off” period before you can have your final court hearing. See Getting Divorced in Connecticut.
