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Divorce Mediation Cost Calculator

You may use the calculator below to estimate total costs for your divorce process. However, each situation is different. Please request an in-person or telephone consultation to discuss costs and other issues with our mediators.

  Per
Spouse		 Both
Spouses		  
Mediation Session Costs
[Enter sessions, session length, and hourly rate]
Number of Sessions Session Length (hrs) $ Hourly Rate
The hourly rate varies among mediators. See
Fees for details.
x x $  – $  –
[Average 3–5] [Average 2 hrs]
Mediation Administration Costs
[Estimate mediator's time for recording your agreement e.g. 2 hrs]		  
Number of Hours $ Hourly Rate  
x $  – $  –
[Average 2 –3]  
 Attorney Consultations [per spouse]  (optional)
         [check box to include, then enter hours and rate below]		  
Number of Hours $ Hourly Rate
x $  – $  –
[Average 1–3] [Average $250 – $400]
 Other Professional Fees [per couple]  (optional)
         e.g. pension appraisal [check box to include]		  
Number of Hours $ Hourly Rate
x $  – $  –
     [Average 1–3] [Average $200]
County Filing Fees [per spouse]       $  – $  –
Check local courthouse
for current filing fees.
Marital Settlement Agreement by Attorney
         [per couple]  (optional) [check box to include]		  
Number of Hours $ Hourly Rate
x $  – $  –
[Average 2] [Average $250 – $400]
TOTAL COST OF DIVORCE USING MEDIATION $  – $  –  



Cost Savings: Divorce Litigation vs Divorce Mediation

Identify which scenario below most closely fits your situation. Compare the costs of a litigated divorce (middle columns below) with divorce using mediation (calculated above). The difference is the mediation savings:

  Cost of Litigation Mediation Savings
  Per
Spouse		 Both
Spouses		 Per
Spouse		 Both
Spouses
“Friendly” divorce. No children and no real estate. No alimony (spousal support). Both spouses retain attorneys. $ $ $  – $  –
Low-conflict divorce. Children and/or real estate. Some negotiation via spouses” attorneys. $ $ $  – $  –
Medium-conflict divorce. Children, real estate, and/or defined benefit retirement plan. Settlement negotiation via spouses’ attorneys. $ $ $  – $  –
High-conflict divorce. Children, real estate, retirement plans, other assets, etc. Contest over alimony (spousal support). Ultimately settles via attorneys pre-trial. $ $ $  – $  –
Contested case. Child custody, complex assets, and alimony (spousal support) in dispute. Formal discovery process. Multiple hearings and/or trial. $ $ $  – $  –



Summary: Litigation vs Mediation

  Litigation Mediation
Loss of control    
Destroys relationships
Protects children
Private and confidential
Depletes community property
Efficient and convenient
Up-front retainer required
Preserves parties’ dignity

       Mediation Fees