Why Mediation?
You ARE in charge!
Divorce and separation are very draining both physically and emotionally. Once litigation is commenced, it becomes financially draining.
Mediation allows YOU to create your agreement without the heavy expense of hiring an attorney, and you will have access to all of the rules that govern New York with respect to divorce, child support and custody matters.
Typically, attorney's charge between $3,500.00 and $7,500.00 to commence actions for divorce that require resolution with respect to child custody/support and equitable distribution. Family Court matters for custody and support can begin at $2,500.00. The fees must be paid up front (known as a retainer) and the hourly rate for most attorneys in the capital region averages approximately $400.00 per hour. The client is billed against the retainer and the fees, for telephone calls between the client/opposing counsel and the attorney, conferences, court appearances and document preparation quickly add up. Once the retainer fee is used, the client must then replenish the retainer. It does not take very long to incur legal expenses that exceed over $10,000.00 per client, and the client has had very little control over the process.
Mediation allows a much more cost effective approach at conflict resolution and allows you, the client to decide on the process and the cost. Our fees are $175.00 per session and we do not exceed an hour with each session. On the average, most clients do not exceed three mediation sessions. The Memorandum of Understanding and the Stipulation/Settlement or Separation Agreement generally costs an average of $875.00, and depending on the complexity of your case, these fees could be much less.