Divorce can come at a high cost both financially and emotionally. It is widely considered one of the most stressful life events and for good reason. Separating all of the details of your life, your property, your assets, your debts and your emotional attachment from your spouse is complicated and difficult. Mediation is a tool that can help you resolve these issues in a timely manner so that you can keep these costs down and move forward with your life as quickly as possible. AMS Mediation focuses on helping couples navigate divorce without breaking the bank.
Financial Costs of Divorce
Settling your divorce through the court system (traditional litigation) can cost between 20-50% more than using mediation. You can expect mediation to cost a total of approximately $4000, which includes the cost of several mediation sessions, a filing fee and fees for legal drafting. Most couples split the cost of mediation. In contrast, a court battle can cost upwards of $15,000. It is also important to note that mediation also takes less time than proceeding through the courts. Generally, you can come to a mutually beneficial mediation agreement in 3-4 two-hour mediation sessions over 2-3 months. When you litigate your divorce, you are at the mercy of judges and attorneys so you can expect the entire process to take 6-12 months.
Emotional Costs of Divorce
Financial costs are not the only costs associated with a divorce. Splitting up can be extremely distressing to both parties and for the children that you share. Minimizing this stress can help you and your family move forward in a more positive way. Mediation is less adversarial than a court battle, focusing on areas of compromise, rather than increasing conflict. As you will soon realize, your relationship with your spouse does not end when the divorce papers are signed. In many cases, you must still maintain a relationship, particularly if children are involved. Mediation lays a positive framework for future co-parenting.
Experienced Divorce Mediation Services
The team at AMS Mediation understands the high cost of divorce and works with couples to achieve fair, equitable, and affordable solutions to issues such as division of property, child and spousal support and child custody. Once you have made the difficult decision to divorce, settling the terms of the divorce should be as fast and cost effective as possible. For more information about our divorce mediation services, call Amber Serwat at AMS Mediation at 952-252-1492.
