Divorce Mediators Scottsdale
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Divorce Mediators Scottsdale
If you are searching for divorce mediators in Scottsdale, Canterbury Law Group can help! We have years of experience with divorce mediation in Scottsdale, Arizona and can provide a simple and affordable alternative to traditional divorce litigation that will allow you to set your own divorce terms.
We can handle your divorce, beginning to end, so that you will never have to set foot in a courtroom. From the petition filing to Final Consent Decree, we are here for you.
What Is A Divorce Mediator?
A divorce mediator is a neutral 3rd-party that attempts to further legal negotiations between spouses who are getting divorced. If you and your spouse cannot come to agreeable terms on your own, you may call for the services of a divorce mediator. Learn more about how to find a good divorce mediator in Scottsdale. Divorce mediation helps keep you in control of the divorce terms. You will never have to step foot in a courtroom. We make our divorce mediation process easy, private and affordable. Our knowledgeable and experienced divorce mediators will guide you the whole way through your divorce from start to finish.
- We can handle divorce out of court
- We will help with reaching and drafting agreements
- Our divorce mediation process is simple
- Our divorce mediators will be there for you every step of the way.
However, if you and your spouse cannot reach a mutual agreement, skipping mediation could be a better option.
Traditional Divorce vs. Divorce Mediation In Scottsdale
The cost of traditional divorce in Scottsdale, Arizona is staggering. Attorneys estimate that the average divorce in litigation costs at $15,000 – $20,000 per spouse, or about $40,000 total for a moderately contested case that does not go to trial. Attorneys bill by the hour and require a cash retainer up front.
Divorce mediation at Canterbury Law Group costs substantially less than an average attorney’s fees for the divorce. We can offer inexpensive client-friendly flat rates. Those getting divorced should have a low, reasonable fixed fee instead of hourly costs that usually cause stress, and doubt.
Divorce Mediation Takes Less Time With Lower Conflict
A lot of conflicts in a divorce can be avoided. Conflict results in drawn-out divorce cases and more time causing higher legal fees. Divorce in court typically takes anywhere from 9 months to more than 2 years. This develops high stress for spouses and their children.
In mediation, the whole divorce process takes on average of 2 – 4 months. Conflict is lowered, disagreements are avoided, and stress is decreased. This allows spouses to keep control of their own timeframe for their divorce and to prepare for the next phase of their lives.
Divorce Mediation Is Better For Your Children
Your children’s health and well-being are safeguarded when parents keep conflict low. However, child psychologists agree that higher conflicts during a divorce can cause serious psychological damage to children.
In contrast, during mediation, parents can mutually create a Joint Parenting Plan to reach agreements on all issues concerning their children. Decision-making, time-sharing, financial obligations, and child support are all agreed upon. This starts a foundation for a healthy co-parenting relationship after the divorce is final.
Divorce Mediation Is Private And Confidential
Family matters are sensitive and should remain confidential and private. In mediation, you will never go to a courtroom. Your divorce process will never become part of the public record. Divorce mediation confidentiality is protected under Arizona law. Every verbal and written communication, all drafted agreements, and disclosures are protected under these laws. Only the final Decree and Joint Parenting Plan (which must be signed by a judge to become final) will be part of the public record.
Scottdale, Arizona Divorce Mediation Process
The divorce mediation process in Scottsdale includes:
1. Schedule an Initial Consulation
Meet with your mediator. You and your spouse will learn about divorce mediation, how it compares to litigation in court, and how we will work with you. We can answer any questions you may have about your divorce.
2. We File for You
We will draft and file your Divorce Petition in a way that will keep conflict low. No one is going to get “served” in mediation. Both parties know exactly what is being filed, and the other party will “waive and accept service” once filed.
3. Create a Joint Parenting Plan
We help you reach compromises on parenting time, legal decision-making, and child support. By reaching these agreements, you will avoid a difficult child custody battle and lay a foundation for healthier co-parenting after the divorce. Absent significant parental fitness issues (e.g. drug or alcohol addictions), most families enjoy 50%/50% custody.
4. Divide All Community Finances
After full mutual financial disclosures, your divorce mediator will recognize every issue of your divorce and explain what property goes to whom under Arizona law. You will discuss options and may come to productive solutions that result in your own personalized divorce agreements.
5. Get Legal Advice From Other Lawyers
When significant legal issues arise, we will connect you with our “no retainer fee” legal advisors that will give you individual advice throughout the process. We can also have you get in touch with neutral financial and tax experts for advice on how to increase benefits awarded to you in your mediated agreements.
6. Sign and Finalize
Instead of a judge, your mediator will draft your final Divorce Decree. You will each review it, get advice, make revisions, and when you are ready, sign it. We will file it for you, and soon afterward, your divorce will be made final when the judge inks your final papers.
How Much Does Divorce Mediation Cost In Scottsdale?
On average, Scottsdale divorce mediation costs $5,000 to $10,000 per spouse according to Equitable Mediation.
Canterbury Law Group has navigated many divorce mediations in Scottsdale for less than $10,000 in legal fees per spouse. This is a far cry from the tens of thousands of dollars that other couples inevitably can spend in a contested litigation in a court of law.
However, If the divorce mediation process is unsuccessful and a case goes to trial, the cost of divorce litigation can range from $78,000 to $200,000.
Learn more about divorce mediation costs
Collaborative Divorce In Scottsdale
Finally, collaborative divorce, also known as collaborative law, is a legal process allowing couples who have decided to end their marriage to both work with a team of family law professionals in order to achieve a settlement that meets the needs of both spouses and children apart from the threat of litigation. This voluntary process is started when the couple signs a “collaborative commitment agreement” binding them to the process and excluding their respective lawyer’s right to represent either party in any future family-related litigation should the parties ever divert to court.
Speak With Our Scottsdale Divorce Mediators Today!
Canterbury Law Group has a network of Arizona attorneys, tax specialists, estate planners, financial planners, child specialists, neutral appraisers, therapists and parenting coordinators in Phoenix and Scottsdale who are here for you if you ever need them. Our Scottsdale divorce mediators are here to make your divorce less stressful and keep you in control.