You and your spouse have decided that it is in your and your children’s best interests for you two to separate. So far, things are amicable and you would like it to stay that way. If you need assistance negotiating a divorce, please read on, then contact an experienced York County, PA divorce attorney to learn if you should consider divorce mediation instead of litigation.
What is divorce mediation in Pennsylvania?
Mediation occurs when you and your spouse elect a neutral person, i.e. the mediator, to discuss openly the issues involved in the divorce such as custody of the children and parenting time, child support, division and distribution of the marital property, and alimony. The sessions usually last two hours. After the initial session, the couple attends three to eight one-and-a-half- to two-hour sessions in which the mediator will guide them to make their own decisions on how they wish to end their marriage.
Why should you consider divorce mediation instead of litigation?
By choosing divorce mediation instead of litigation, you increase the likelihood of a peaceful divorce. Such peaceful divorces offer the following benefits:
- Calmly discussing and deciding the terms of the divorce
- Divorcing without setting foot in court
- Keeping the costs of divorce as low as possible
In the Keystone State, the average cost of divorce mediation is between $5,000 and $8,000. That would include the three to eight mediation sessions, the preparation of a marital settlement agreement and the cost to prepare and file the paperwork for divorce. Conversely, the cost of divorce litigation is about $14,300 if there are no children and about $21,500 if children are involved.
How can a York County, PA family law attorney help you?
As has been illustrated, engaging the services of a divorce mediator can save you much-needed time, stress and money. If you believe that you and your spouse can part on more or less amicable terms, then you should reach out to one of our skilled York County, PA family attorneys to discuss your next steps. Our firm will fully apprise you of your rights and responsibilities and guide you through every step of the process. Life is too short to be unhappy. Give us a call today.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED PENNSYLVANIA FIRM
We understand that going through the legal system alone can be both confusing and highly stressful. That is why it is our job to help you through every step of the process ahead. For years, we have been helping clients throughout Lancaster County and its surrounding areas through a wide range of legal matters, including personal injury cases, criminal defense matters, family law issues, estate planning law matters, and more. If you need legal assistance, we are here to help. Contact Ilkhanoff & Silverstein today.
