THE COST OF MEDIATION AT OUR OFFICE
Mediation Sessions
The mediation sessions cost $250 per hour (which can be adjusted downward due to economic circumstances), divided into tenths of an hour, payable at the end of each session. Thus, for example, for 3 mediation sessions of one and one-half to two hours each, the total cost for the mediation would be in the range of $1,250 and $1,500.  There is no retainer fee.

Preparation of Martial Settlement Agreement and Judgment
In addition, when the mediation sessions have been completed, the spouses make a deposit of about $1,900 depending on the case to the mediator's trust account for preparation of the Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA), making any changes that the spouses may decide to make to the MSA, and for preparation of the Judgment and related documents and filing with the court.  Any part of the deposit not used is refunded.

Half the Usual Court Filing Fees
In any divorce, the spouses must pay court costs. However, the ordinary court costs of $710 ($355 for each spouse) in our mediation, is reduced to $355 [which the spouses may split] as we submit the case under the Los Angeles Superior Court Hybrid Default program, which requires only one spouse to file. No one goes to court at any time.




THE COST OF A COURT DIVORCE CASE
"Former Judge Roderic Duncan's . . . book 'A Judge's Guide to Divorce: Uncommon Advice from the Bench' shows how traditional [court] divorce brings out the worst in people and that contentious divorces easily can cost $100,000 in attorney fees and 'the outcome is rarely as good as when couples sit down and cooperate,' Duncan said." Los Angeles Times, Sunday March 4, 2007, page C3, Personal Finance, by Kathy M. Kristof, Times Staff Writer