What if we need more time to mediate?
While most agreements can be drafted in just one mediation session, we recognize that sometimes unforeseen issues arise during mediation that need to be resolved so the parties can avoid going to court.
If your issues are (or become) more complicated and cannot be concluded during the mediation sessions included in the flat-rate package, additional mediation sessions can be purchased “a la carte” as needed.
How much does an additional session cost?
Additional mediation sessions can be purchased as needed for $300 per hour.
When you consider that the average litigated divorce case runs $40,000 per spouse, choosing to mediate can save families thousands of dollars, preserves and even helps rebuild long-lasting family relationships, and protects children from the animosity that’s inherent in the adversarial nature of a litigated divorce.
What if we can't reach an agreement?
Well over ninety percent of divorce cases in California reach an agreement and settle without going to trial. The big question is when? Does it take tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of dollars to prepare for trial, then settle right before it, or do parties take a more reasonable and rational route and commit to working through the terms of their settlement early on and save themselves all the grief and expense?
In the rare instances where an agreement is not reached in mediation, the parties always have the option to pursue whatever legal remedies they desire within the court system. Even if there is an issue of which the participants are unwilling to compromise, they still have the option to agree upon everything else, submit a judgment on all the issues except the one that they were unable to resolve, and leave that issue for determination by the court.