Right Turn Mediation

  Specializing in Divorce Mediation

In a word, no.  Mediation requires both parties.  Moreover both parties not just physically present but willing to discuss things in a

The cost of a mediated divorce including both review lawyers attorneys fees, averages 25%  of the cost of negotiating a settlement through lawyers and less than 10% of a case decided in court.  This is because 90% of the fees incurred by two adversarial lawyers are going to be accomplished one mediator, more quickly and less litigiously in a facilitated cooperative process . 

Everything in mediation it is your choice but a mediator is going to HIGHLY recommend that you each get review lawyers.  The role of lawyers is minimized in mediation but the part they can play is important.  In some cases if a mediator feels there is a gross deviation from the norm or one party clearly in the dark and needs legal advice, since the mediator is prohibited from giving it, he may make continuing the mediation contingent on your seeking legal advice.  It remains your choice but the mediator also had the choice to decline participating in an unconscionable agreement .

FAQs

An average would be 4 to 5 hour and a half sessions.  The fee is $250 per hr.

How long does it usually take and how much does it cost.

Do I have to use a lawyer in addition to a mediator?

Won’t it cost a lot more using a mediator and lawyers?

Can I come in without my spouse?

Then it would follow you might get less if your spouses lawyer is better.  A mediated agreement is oriented to being reasonable and fair.  If your motive is greed and or punishment than mediation is not the route to go. 

We are barely on speaking terms / there is a lot of anger / can we mediate our divorce?

Won’t I get more with a good lawyer?

Consider the alternative.  Few things are more costly than dueling with lawyers.  Get through the mediation and reward yourself with a cruise around the world and come out way ahead. The fees alone in a disputed case can run higher than what is in dispute. Ironcially, in the end 97% of cases negotiated by lawyers are settled by mutual agreement anyway rather than suffer further the astronomical cost of going to court. 

You are not their to work out what went wrong in your marriage.  Your are there to put it behind you.  A mediator’s is highly trained to keep the dialogue focused on what practically speaking needs to get done.  And since the cost is going to come out of what would otherwise be equitably distributed to you, both of you should be highly motivated to make the least expensive process successful, considering the alternative.  At least worth a try.

We have undeclared income, will we be exposing ourselves to scrutiny by the IRS?

In court yes, in mediation no.

Have another Question?

Email Stefan and Barbara:     righturn@optimum.net

Is it too late to start mediation, we are already working with Lawyers

No, it’s never too late.  Ask your attorney, if they'll work with a mediator.  If not, there we can recommend several mediation friendly attorneys in the area who are.  More and more attorneys are training as mediators recognizing if the parties are at all inclined this is the preferred way to go.

     Right Turn Mediation    

Specializing in Divorce Mediation