What is divorce mediation, and how is it different from collaborative divorce and litigation?
Who this is for / not for:
For couples seeking to understand their divorce options before committing to a process. Not for those who've already decided their path and need implementation support.
Our approach
Divorce mediation is a facilitated process where you and your spouse work with a neutral third-party attorney-mediator or attorney-supervised mediators to reach agreements on all divorce-related issues. Unlike litigation—where a judge makes decisions for your family—mediation empowers you to remain decision-makers in the issues that affect your lives.
In collaborative divorce, each spouse retains their own attorney and works with neutral experts, but all parties contractually commit to staying out of court.
Mediation differs in that you share one neutral mediator rather than each hiring separate counsel, making it significantly more affordable. Our attorney-mediators and attorney-supervised mediators provide legal information to both of you, ensure transparency, and guide you toward fair agreements—without the adversarial positioning that drives up conflict and cost. The Conscious Family mediation process takes parties from the decision to divorce through all steps necessary to walk away with all the documents you need to file to complete your divorce.
What to prepare
Come with openness about which process feels right for your situation. Consider your ability to communicate directly with your spouse, your comfort level making joint decisions, and your budget. Prepare questions about how each model would work for your specific circumstances.
Timeline + cost range
A streamlined mediated divorce averages around $5,000 shared by the couple together. More complex cases with business valuations or contentious issues run approximately $10,000-$25,000 per couple. Compare this to litigation, which typically costs $20,000-$30,000 per couple for straightforward cases, and $70,000-$100,000+ for contested divorces. Mediation typically completes in a fourth of the time compared to hiring separate lawyers.
Next step
Book a free introduction call to discuss which approach aligns with your values, communication style, and goals.