(Newswire.net — June 27, 2013) Minneapolis, MN – As more and more couples decide to divorce, the number of divorce attorneys rise proportionately. The question most divorcing couples ask is, “What’s better for us and for our children? A divorce attorney or divorce mediation?”
According to Solveig Erickson Mayer, of Erickson Mediation Institute (EMI), “reports show the cost of a litigated divorce can range from about $10,000 to $220,000 (assuming you’re not a celebrity!). It is estimated that less than 5% of cases actually go to trial. But that doesn’t mean that the case was not prepared for, and charged for.”
EMI, the Midwest’s oldest and most successful mediation services and mediation training firm, sees it’s share of divorce mediation.
“Even with all associated filing fees, the average cost of a complete EMI divorce mediation is $3900. That sure beats even a divorce attorney’s lowest fee of $10,000,” continued Solveig.
What is best? Divorce litigation or divorce mediation?
According to Steve Erickson, a founder of EMI, their mediation services uses a “client-centered model of mediation, which focuses on the clients’ sense of what is right, what is fair, and what will work for them. The client-centered mediator creates a structured environment for the parties so that, once they have agreed to the rules of mediation, it is likely they will achieve a resolution when it comes to decisions about children, finances, and property. “
Most sessions last two hours, and many divorce settlements are reached after just a few sessions.
Mediators do not make decisions, provide therapy, provide legal representation or perform legal services for divorcing people, but do devote their energy to helping participants obtain fair agreements.
Advocates of divorce mediation claim mediation is superior to using Minneapolis divorce lawyers not only because of the cost savings, which they say is better used for child support or other expenses, but because it is far less stressful, requires far less time, and better prepares for future modifications.
Founded in 1977 by Stephen Erickson, J.D., and Marilyn McKnight, M.A., Erickson Mediation Institute was the first divorce mediation firm in the Midwest, and continues to be one of the largest private, full-time and full-service mediation firms in the country. In 1980, Steve conducted the first 40-Hour Divorce Mediation Training in the country in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and also co-wrote the manual and co-designed the curriculum for that training, the core of which is still used today around the country and abroad.
EMI offers a free initial consultation, and can be reached at Erickson Mediation Institute, 3600 American Blvd West, Minneapolis, MN 55431 (952) 835-3688 or at http://ericksonmediation.com .
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About The Author: Jeff Martin is a senior partner at NuaVista Consulting, Inc., based in St. Paul, MN. Follow him at Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/112570942863636743067