The average cost of divorce mediation in Pennsylvania is between $5,000 – $9,000. That amount would include from 1-3 mediation sessions, the preparation of a marital settlement agreement, and the cost to prepare and file the paperwork for a divorce.

The cost of mediation in any particular case, however, depends on many factors, including the complexity of the parties’ finances, whether custody of children is involved, whether the parties’ have already reached any agreements, the animosity of the parties, and the ability of the parties to compromise. Relatively simple cases can be resolved in one mediation session. More difficult cases can take four or more mediation sessions. The actual cost will also depend on how the mediator charges for his or her mediation services. Some mediators charge by the hour; other quote a flat fee.

Not all cases that are resolved or processed by a divorce mediator actually involve mediation. For example, at SnapDivorce^®, the cost to process a “simple divorce,” meaning a divorce with no other issues (financial, custody or otherwise), is $1,400, which includes court fees of approximately $400. Similarly, a divorce where the parties have already reached an agreement on all the issues and just need a marital agreement properly drafted to memorialize their agreement, and their divorce filed and processed, can be completed for less than $5,000.

In comparison, the average cost of attorneys’ fees in a litigated divorce in Pennsylvania range from $15,000 to $30,000 per side, with some divorces costing more than $100,000.

For more great information, tips and insights about Divorce Mediation and the Divorce Process in general, check out our podcast, The Divorce Rulebook Podcast.