What does Graine Mediation charge?
A: Graine Mediation charges $185 per hour. Most cases are resolved in two 3-hour sessions, for an average cost for both the session time and court-ready settlement agreement of $1,400-$2500.
Prices will increase January 2012.
| Fees | Mediation | Contested Litigation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Fees | The first half hour consultation is free. Graine Mediation’s fee is then $185 per hour for session time and the Memorandum of Understanding (court-ready Settlement Agreement) is charged at a flat fee (3 drafts included) between $900-$1,500. Most cases are resolved in two 3-hour sessions, for an average cost for both the session time and court-ready settlement agreement of $1,400-$2500. |
Attorneys charge between $300-$500 per hour. Their fees are usually higher for court time, and there are almost always two lawyers (one for each side). Most litigated divorces take between 1-3 years, depending on the circumstances and the complexity of your case. In my experience, any divorce that involves contested issues (financial, custody) could easily cost $20,000 and up to $100,000 to litigate – per side. |
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| Office and Administrative Work |
There is very little administrative overhead in mediation because there is very little paperwork involved in the process. The only step that is performed outside of the group mediation sessions is the actual drafting of the Memorandum of Understanding. This allows you to easily keep track of your settlement costs. | Much of the work is done without the divorcing parties present. Most document preparation and review, and the interaction with the opposing attorney, is managed within the law firm. With most law firms, you pay by the quarter hour for every email, phone call or fax interaction – a sum of money that can add up quickly. | ||
| Discovery Phase | There is no formal discovery in mediation. This, in and of itself, saves countless dollars in fees and administrative costs. If the issues are complicated, or there appears to be missing information, there are other ways that the facts can be gathered and understood. For example, experts can be brought in to help the parties understand confusing or intricate parts of their case at a higher level. This applies to finances, academic needs of children, business valuations, career planning, etc. | Generally, there is formal discovery. Conducting discovery is necessary and appropriate for attorneys to do their job well and within ethical boundaries. It is, however, extremely expensive and time consuming. | ||
| Retainer Fees | There are no retainer fees at Graine Mediation. Costs are billed hourly, and, since you participate, time spent on your case is easy to keep track of. | The correct paragraph is: Lawyers charge retainer fees in large lump-sum payments. These costs are based on the complexity of your case but are often in the $5,000 - $10,000 range for contested cases. When the retainer fee is used up, a new chunk of money is often required to keep the litigation in motion. This is standard. | ||
| Expert Fees | When you and your spouse reach an agreement, an expert isn’t necessary. For matters that cannot be agreed to or understood, both parties will share the expense of one expert to advise on their case. | Expert fees are charged when a professional testifies on behalf of the divorcing parties in matters such as child custody and welfare. Each party has their own expert, and there are, therefore, double fees. The opinions of experts, in court, often vary wildly. This can lead to confusion and an inability to really see and understand what the real needs are for you and your children in terms of moving forward with your lives. | ||
