How Much Does Divorce Mediation Cost in Colorado?
Couples going through a divorce often have difficulties agreeing on issues like alimony and child custody. Such problems can make an already stressful situation even more expensive and lengthy.
In certain cases, it might be more beneficial for a couple seeking divorce to seek the assistance of a divorce mediator. Some Colorado courts require couples to undergo mediation before a court hearing.
In either case, a Colorado divorce mediator can help couples find a cost-effective and favorable resolution to their divorce issues before disputes escalate.
What Is Divorce Mediation?
Divorce mediation is a process used by a couple seeking divorce to reach an agreement with the help of an unbiased third party or the mediator. It is the role of the mediator to help the spouses work through their issues and communicate better. However, the mediator will not make any binding decisions for either or both spouses.
Divorce mediation is becoming increasingly popular for couples who are looking for a cost-effective resolution for just about any issue that may be raised and resolved in court. Some examples are the following:
- Child support
- Parenting plans
- Child custody and visitation
- Alimony
- Property and asset division
What Are the Advantages of Divorce Mediation in Colorado?
For some divorcing couples, mediation isn’t possible, especially when they’re dealing with certain issues like spousal or child abuse. This is why it’s crucial for someone filing a divorce to consult a lawyer before entering the mediation process. A divorce lawyer can provide professional legal advice about their options and help them decide whether or not mediation is the right path to take.
For others, mediation may mean spending less time and money to finalize the divorce process compared to hiring a lawyer and going to court. Below are some of the top reasons for spouses to choose divorce mediation:
- Mediation is designed to reduce the conflict and acrimony that usually surrounds the adversarial setting of a traditional divorce. When a divorce is settled amicably and both spouses are willing to communicate and compromise, it’s easier for the children.
- Mediation encourages a respectful and collaborative environment so spouses can settle their issues creatively and confidentially. This may also help the spouses foster a better co-parenting relationship later.
- Mediation helps reduce the financial and emotional stress of the divorce process.
- The spouses can eliminate court costs and reduce their legal fees.
- Mediation reduces the amount of time it takes to agree on key issues.
- Mediation provides the spouses with more control over the process. Going through a litigated divorce means both parties have to abide by the decision of a judge who may not be familiar with the distinct needs of their family.
How Much Does Divorce Mediation Cost in Colorado?
Compared to a contested divorce that is litigated in court, going through mediation means spending significantly less time getting it finalized. An article from Parade Magazine, in fact, estimated that a standard divorce may take 120 hours to get finalized, while one that goes through mediation may take less than 20 hours to be resolved.
More importantly, divorce mediation cost less. At our firm a spouse will only pay a minimum of $150 per hour for one mediation session. The entire process can even be finalized for as low as $750, although this figure may vary depending one the unique circumstances of the case.
In comparison to retaining a divorce attorney and going to court, divorce mediation costs in Colorado are considerably lower.
What Key Factors Affect the Cost of Divorce Mediation?
How much a couple will spend on mediation proceedings will depend on a number of variables. Generally, the less contentious both parties are, the less time they’ll spend on the mediation session, and the lower their costs will be.
On average, however, most couples will spend between $100 to $300 per hour to undergo mediation. Here are some of the crucial factors that impact the cost of divorce mediation in Colorado:
- Initial set up fee: Most mediators will charge the couple a set up fee during the initial meeting. The spouses will indicate all the issues that need to be resolved, so the mediator is aware and prepared for each session.
- The number of sessions: When a couple takes longer to resolve their issues, they may need more to schedule and go through more mediation sessions. Since the mediator is often paid on an hourly basis, this can increase the costs for the couple.
- Private mediation: If the couple chooses to work with a private mediator, instead of entering the mediation process through the court system, a single session—which typically lasts 2 hours – may cost up to $1000.
Hire a Colorado Divorce Mediator Today
A divorce mediator is a neutral third party who can approach your divorce from an unbiased perspective. Their goal is to help you come to an agreement and make sure that the settlement process goes smoothly.
At Goldman Law, LLC, we understand that expensive litigation may not always be the answer. We can help you work through the complex, sensitive, and emotional issues respectfully and collaboratively.
Our mediators are also lawyers, so they can also help you with preparing and filing relevant documents in court. Call us today at (303) 656-9529 to learn more about our services or schedule a consultation.
