Financial Impact
Avg Mediation Cost
0
72% below litigation
Range: $3,000–$8,000 for standard cases
Avg Litigation Cost
0
Up 17% since 2022
Range: $15,000–$60,000+ contested
Average Savings
0
Choosing mediation
Enough for 6 months of housing in most metros
Attorney Retainer (Litigation)
0
+$1,500 since 2021
Often depleted before trial date
Mediator Retainer
0
73% less than attorney
Typically covers 3–4 sessions
Post-Decree Legal Costs
0
68% lower via mediation
Modifications & enforcement over 5 years
Timeline & Process
Mediation Duration
0.0 mo
73% faster resolution
3–5 sessions typical
Litigation Duration
0.0 mo
+2.3 months vs 2020
Contested cases: 18–24 months
Court Appearances (Mediation)
0
Final filing only
All negotiation happens outside court
Court Appearances (Litigation)
0
Avg across all motions
Pre-trial + hearings + trial days
Mediation Settlement Rate
0%
High success rate
AFCC 2024 national survey
Litigation Settled Pre-Trial
0%
Most settle before verdict
Only 5% reach full trial
Emotional & Relational Outcomes
Conflict Level (1–10 scale)
Med 0.0 vs Lit 0.0
62% less conflict
Self-reported by participants
Co-Parenting Relationship (Post)
0%
Positive via mediation
Only 41% positive via litigation
Stress-Related Health Issues
0%
Litigation participants
12% for mediation participants
Children Adjusting Well
0%
Low-conflict mediation
61% in high-conflict litigation
Would Recommend Same Path
0%
Mediation participants
Only 52% of litigation participants
Post-Divorce Therapy Needed
0%
Lower for mediation
47% of litigation participants seek therapy
0
Average Total Savings
When choosing mediation over litigation for a standard divorce
0
Months Saved on Average
Faster resolution means less financial bleed and emotional drain
0%
Higher Agreement Compliance
People follow agreements they helped create — 60% vs 78%
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
Average Total Cost
Time to Resolution
Participant Satisfaction
Child Well-Being Score
5-Year Modification Rate
Attorney Involvement Post
These Numbers Change Weekly
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