Benefits of divorce mediation

The top three benefits of divorce mediation are:

1. costs less than the average Pennsylvania divorce,
2. promptly resolves divorce issues,
3. makes divorce as peaceful as possible.

For divorcing mothers and fathers, mediation offers another benefit. It may help divorcing parents keep—or start to build—a positive parenting relationship.

A mediation divorce costs less than the average Pennsylvania divorce

The total cost of divorce mediation for most couples that I assist is between $4,500 and $6,600. In fact, about 45% of cases in my office are resolved for less than $5,200. A written estimate is provided during a free consultation about divorce mediation, so spouses know in advance what their mediation divorce will cost.

Compare this to the cost of the average Pennsylvania divorce—about $14,300 per spouse (Byrnes, Hristina, "The cost of divorce", USA Today, January 21, 2020 citing Nolo nationwide divorce survey).

Schedule a free consultation about divorce mediation

Payment terms for a mediation divorce

NOTE: In divorce mediation, husbands and wives make all the decisions. In about 1 in 10 cases, they decide that they cannot reach an out-of-court agreement. When this happens, spouses must go to court to have a judge make decisions for them—resulting in more court fees and attorney fees.

Does each spouse need their own lawyer for a mediation divorce?

Divorce mediation resolves matters promptly

In a mediation divorce, spouses can discuss and decide divorce topics within days and sign legal documents within weeks. Compare this to fighting in court where it may take months—to a year or more—to decide matters.

Timeline for a mediation divorce

Often, divorcing spouses want to shorten the process and finish as quickly as possible. Divorce mediation can move forward as soon as both spouses are ready to meet with a mediator. Typically, I can meet within days of a request for a free consultation about divorce mediation.

NOTE: Pennsylvania law sets mandatory waiting periods for requesting a decree (the court document that changes marital status). These waiting periods apply to mediation cases and courtroom cases alike.

Timeline to get a Pennsylvania divorce decree

Divorce mediation makes divorce as peaceful as possible

In divorce mediation, a mediator helps spouses calmly discuss and decide the terms of their divorce. While some topics may be difficult to discuss, a mediator uses kindness, impartiality, and problem solving to help husbands and wives divorce as peacefully as possible.

The experience is quite different if spouses hire lawyers to fight in court. The courtroom is for adversaries. Each attorney battles to win for their client—and to defeat their client's spouse—at almost any cost.

In my office, about 9 in 10 divorcing couples who try mediation reach an out-of-court agreement to divorce. In Pennsylvania, wives and husbands who agree in mediation can divorce without setting foot in court.

Steps in a mediation divorce

Three tips for a more peaceful divorce mediation

Divorce mediation benefits for parents

A mediation divorce can be especially helpful for divorcing parents. Mothers and fathers can decide child custody and child support without going to court. Mediation can help divorcing moms and dads:

• reduce conflict by deciding child custody and child support matters quickly,
• improve parental communication by calmly discussing and deciding divorce matters,
• save money instead of paying lawyers to fight in court.

After divorce mediation, many parents are glad they tried the path of peace for their divorce.

Divorce mediation for you and your spouse

Consider sharing this website with your spouse. If both of you are interested in a mediation divorce, the next step is to schedule a free consultation about divorce mediation.

To learn more about peaceful divorce, check out these articles about divorce mediation in Pennsylvania.

I wish you and your spouse much peace and well-being!

Dann Johns
Divorce Mediator & Attorney