Simplify Your Sunnyvale Divorce with Divorce Mediation

Divorce mediation costs in Sunnyvale, California, may vary depending upon many factors. For example, how many sessions your mediation may involve, the complexity of the issues involved, and the experience of mediators.

Of course, mediators with high experience and reputations charge more than the less experienced mediators. While the complexities in your case, such as child custody and property division, may also affect mediation costs. Likewise, mediated divorce may involve additional expenses such as filing fees, document preparation and financial advisor costs.

Also, some mediators charge on an hourly basis ($359– $700 per hour). While others may ask you to pay a flat fee for mediation services. So, you can begin your divorce mediation in Sunnyvale after you know the mediators’ experience, qualifications, and fees. Following are examples of flat fees in the divorce mediation process. 

●       Low-cost Mediation: $3,500 – $5,000

●       Standard Mediation: $5,000 – $15,000

●       Complex Mediation: Starts from above $15,000

The number of sessions required in your mediation process may depend upon the complexity of issues, emotional factors, legal complexities, information gathering, and experience of the mediator.  Typically, our couples average 6 sessions.

Mediation is a dispute resolution method to reach an agreement between divorcing spouses. If both spouses disagree on specific terms in mediation, they must go through traditional litigation in family court.

Traditional litigation can have high costs, extended time (in court battles), and increased conflicts. Therefore, individuals dealing with divorce can follow these tips. The following are tips for individuals wanting a successful divorce mediation in Sunnyvale, California.

• Take breaks when needed

• Decide your interests and priorities

• Come prepared and listen actively

• Choose an experienced and qualified mediator

• Try to compromise and reach a mutual agreement

• Gather important information (about assets, debts, and possessions)

• Stay honest and indulge in open communication during negotiations

• Keep personal emotions aside and stay calm during divorce negotiations

The number of sessions required in your mediation for simple divorce or complex cases can vary. The more complications there are, the more sessions will be required. Likewise, the couple’s willingness to compromise, complexity, information gathering (process), expert consultations, and mediator experience may also influence the number of sessions. Our Families First Mediations couples average 5–6 sessions. Here is a breakdown of the expected number of sessions based on the case types.

• • Simple cases: 3–5 sessions
• • Mid-size cases: 4–8 sessions
• • Highly complex Cases: 8–12+

The following are the pros and cons of mediation in divorce.
Pros

• • Confidential
• • Time effective
• • Post-divorce stability
• • Voluntary, informal and flexible
• • More control over the outcome
• • Collaborative and peaceful nature
• • Inexpensive process(both parties can collectively pay the fees of a mediator)

Cons

• • Can’t work for high conflict cases
• • Does not work for uncooperative couples
• • Lacks legal advocacy (mediator just mediates and doesn’t advocate for parties, unless the parties retain consulting attorneys)
• • Doesn’t work for couples with power imbalance (unless the mediator is able to neutralize)

No, mediation and collaborative divorce are entirely different approaches to divorcing. Both are processes to divorce in California, without stepping into court, yet these options differ in the process, (number of) professionals involved, and costs.

• • In mediation, both parties have one mediator, while in a collaborative divorce, each party retains his/her attorney.
• • In mediation, you work directly with the mediator. In collaborative practice, you work in a team approach. The number of professionals in the team varies, but can include a mental health professional and financial expert.
• • Mediation is generally cheaper than collaborative divorce because collaborative typically requires a team which is more costly based on the number of professionals. Additionally, teams tend to move slower (costing more) than a more streamlined service like mediation.
• • A mediator in mediation stays neutral. The mediator neither advocates in the court nor for the parties. They just mediate for both divorcing parties. In collaborative divorce, each party’s attorney advocates for its party.