Save Time & Fees - Colorado Divorce Mediation
	Summary. Divorce mediation will always save both parties time and money. In contrast, I suggest that you ask anyone who has gone through a contested court hearing whether they would do it the same way again. (It is extremely unlikely that they would.)

Saving Money with Colorado Divorce Mediation, versus Court Orders
Divorce mediation is often completed in two to four meetings. Each meeting is often 1 to 2 hours in length. Since full disclosure of both parties' assets, income, and debts is made prior to the second meeting, essentially all of the most important issues are out on the table during the second meeting. Beginning with the second meeting, the time should be spent discussing the needs of both parties (and any minor children) and the various alternative agreements.

Thus, the entire mediation process can often be completed with only 4 to 8 hours of mediator time. Even if there is a fair amount of conflict.

Most mediations are completed within a 30 to 90 day time period. This assumes a minimum amount of differences over parenting and support issues; and the division of assets and debts.

The cost for many efficient mediations is generally about $1,000. This includes the written agreement, but not the court filing fee or the completion of the standard court documents. This also does not include the cost of any review by outside attorneys. In many cases the parties cannot justify representation by outside attorneys, except sometimes to review the final agreement.

In contrast, highly-contested court proceedings where both parties are represented by separate attorneys often cost $20,000 to $60,000 in attorney fees. Sometimes even more. This high cost is a result of lack of proper disclosure (hide the ball tactics) and the need to dispute every issue at each part of the process. Often costs are increased through the use of outside experts such as parenting evaluations, property appraisers, and vocational evaluators. The focus is on "fault" and differences. Here, every step in the process is disputed and evaluated from the standpoint of win-lose games. Both parties feel that they must "win" by making the other party "lose." The time needed to complete a contested divorce is generally more than 1 year.

Saving Time with Colorado Divorce Mediation, versus Court Orders
As discussed above, divorce mediation can often be completed within 30 to 90 days. In contrast, a contested divorce proceeding in court often takes 1 year or longer. In addition to sharply increased attorney fees (and expert witness fees) and the significant time delays which are associated with contested divorce proceedings, there are additional costs such as damaged family relationships.

NOTE: If the marital assets include a closely-held business (valuation issue) or there are other complications such as difficult parenting issues, then mediation can take significantly longer. Particularly if both parties are represented by their own attorneys. These complications will also increase the cost of mediation.