Questions:

• What is divorce mediation, and how is it different from arbitration?
• Why is mediation better than going to a lawyer -- or is it?
• What is the difference between court-ordered mediation and private mediation?
• How do mediating spouses protect their legal rights?
• Does the mediator meet with both spouses together or separately?
• How much does mediation cost?
• How long does mediation take?
• How can a divorcing couple find a good mediator?

Answer:

How much does mediation cost?

Most mediations involve an hourly or per-session fee, except for those that are ordered by a court or conducted through a community-based mediation agency. These agencies may provide mediation at a reduced cost or even for free. The number of sessions needed to gather information and negotiate an agreement will vary from couple to couple, so the cost of the mediation will also vary. Mediation, however, will usually be much less costly than adversarial litigation. A divorce mediator in private practice might charge anywhere from $100 to a couple of hundred dollars an hour, depending on where the mediator practices.