Collaborative post. Divorce cases can be stressful and our emotional wellbeing can be affected. On top of this, these processes involve a lot of money. However there are avenues such as MIAM family mediation that offer more affordable solutions compared to going to court.

In fact divorce cases that are resolved through mediation cost between 40% and 60% less than those that go to court. If you are going through divorce proceedings in the UK, it is very important that you understand what financial assistance is available to you and what costs are involved to make the whole process less stressful.

Family mediation can reduce the costs of a divorce

About Family Mediation

Before breaking down all the factors that influence the price of a family mediation we have to solve one of the most common worries: what exactly is mediation?

Family mediation is a process in which a trained person in the role of a mediator helps divorcing couples to have a healthier process, trying to negotiate and resolve aspects of contention such as the division of assets or the custody of the children.

Mediation can save time and money compared to litigation, but it is important to know how much to budget. It is also worth knowing that the mediation company can support couples with financing the cost of the service through legal aid for family mediation. This can make mediation an affordable option for those with a low income or who are receiving certain benefits like Universal Credit. 

Factors Influencing Mediation Costs In A Divorce

When applying for a mediation service, there are a number of factors to consider that will determine the price of the mediation service:

• The location
• The complexity of the case
• The experience of the mediator
• The length of the mediation
• Additional services, such as drafting of legal agreements

Average Costs Of Mediation

In the UK, the average cost of family mediation usually ranges from £100 to £300 per hour, depending on the mediator's qualifications and location. A typical divorce mediation process may require between three and six sessions, each lasting approximately 90 minutes.

Although the cost may seem high going to court is much more expensive for couples. To give you an idea, a court case can cost between £5,000 and £20,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the issues and the length of the process.

Payment Structures For Family Mediation

When you go to a mediator they may have different payment structures available to meet the differing needs of clients.

The most common form is through hourly rates. It adapts to the client's time and is more flexible. However as the overall charge will increase the more sessions that are needed it can be more expensive than other options, with each session costing between £100 and £300.

Other mediators offer fixed fees, these give you a clear idea of the total cost upfront. However fixed fees may be limited to a maximum number of sessions so not include additional sessions if more meetings are required.

For cases where couples are on low incomes there may be the offer of sliding scale fees with a reduced rate depending on the income of those involved. These are normally subsidised by Legal Aid, although other funding options may be available.

Additional Costs In Mediation

In addition to the mediator's fees, there are a number of additional costs that divorcing couples should consider:

• Room hire if needed
• Administrative costs
• Certificates
• Materials or resources needed

Financial Assistance And Low Cost Options

For couples who are struggling financially but want to divorce, there are different option available to help you cope financially with the process:

• Legal assistance for family mediation: this can cover the full cost of the process, including the initial MIAM family mediation session.
• Subsidised or low-cost mediation services: many community organisations or family law services offer low cost mediation, offering sliding scale fees, ensuring that mediation is accessible to a greater number of families.

Mediation is the best way to conduct a divorce process where there are issues to resolve. Approximately 80% of people who complete family mediation report feeling less stressed than if they had gone to court.