Mediation

 
 

Why is Mediation the Smart Path to Resolution?

Mediation

Voluntary & Confidential

Cost Effective & Time Efficient

Parties Decide Outcome & Relationship Preservation

Litigation

Compulsory & Public

Expensive & Time Consuming

Court Decides Ruling & Relationship Destruction

 

Benefits of Mediation:

LESS EXPENSIVE

  • One of the most expensive aspects of any legal proceeding is spent on the attorneys for both sides going to court and preparing for court.

  • With court calendars so impacted, especially these days, obtaining a chunk of undivided court time can be difficult. Cases are frequently continued for further proceedings.

  • More court visits equal more money spent on fees.

  • In mediation, the cost of one mediator is generally shared, usually on a flat fee basis.

QUICKER RESOLUTION

  • In some cases, mediation can be resolved in a day or two.

  • Litigation can take months, even years, depending on the issues and court calendar. 

 

YOU ARE EMPOWERED & IN CONTROL OF THE OUTCOME.

Instead of a judge making the most important decisions in your life for you, mediation empowers you to reach these decisions yourself.  

COLLABORATION & COOPERATION

  • Defining the process with this mindset can be helpful as it may allow both you and the other side to be more receptive to listening to and considering the opinions of one another.

  • Litigation is contentious and puts people on the defensive.

  • Mediation helps refocus on the issues and remove the hostility of the situation.

EDUCATION & ENLIGHTENMENT

  • Mediation helps educate both sides on the issues the other finds important and the positions they have on them.

  • Mediation helps bring the conversation to the forefront and making this the focus to help move things forward in a more productive manner.  

  • Mediation can be utilized for the entirety of your dissolution matter, or it can be a great option for narrowing the issues or creating a parenting plan that works for your family.

Cost of Mediation vs. Litigation

Cost to Mediate

  • Initial 2-hour consultation ($250.00 - $500.00)

  • Follow up meeting (4 hours at $300.00/hour)($1,200.00)

  • Preparation of Mediated Settlement Agreement ($500.00)

  • Preparation of additional documents, such as Parenting Plan, Child Support Worksheet, and/or Dissolution filings (if necessary) ($500.00)

Approximate Total Cost of Mediation:
$500.00 - $2,500.00

 Cost to Litigate

  • Initial Consultation ($250.00 - $500.00/hour)

  • Retainer ($2,500.00 - $5,000.00)

  • Filing Initial Pleadings (Summons and Initial Petition) ($1,200.00)

  • Responding to Answer and/or Counter Petition ($1,000.00)

  • Serving Discovery ($500.00)

  • Responding to Discovery ($750.00)

  • Preparing Financial Affidavit and Mandatory Disclosure Compliance ($1,800.00)

  • Preparing Motions ($750.00)

  • Preparing Motion for Attorneys' Fees ($750.00)

  • Responding to Motions ($750.00)

  • Hiring Experts ($2,000.00)

  • Hearings/Court Appearances ($4,500.00)

  • Mediation (Court-Ordered) ($1,200.00)

  • Co-Parenting Classes and Preparation of Parenting Plan ($500.00)

  • Trial ($7,500.00 - $10,000.00)

  • Appeal ($5,000.00)

Approximate Total Cost of Litigation: $32,700.00+

Mediation Resources

  • Petza & Kaldi Mediation has over 21 years of combined mediation experience assisting people in crisis with their decision-making process. Any crisis involves a complex web of diverse and competing issues. Susan Petza & Dorothy Kaldi, Esq. are qualified mediators, who are able to assist parties in conflict by helping them untangle and address their different concerning issues to arrive at a mutually agreeable solution.

    Locations: Greater New York area / Florida / Remote Mediation

    We speak: Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Hungarian

  • I am the founder of Successful Solution.

    I am here to help you and your family deal with conflict, improve communication, solve problems and reach agreements on legal and non-legal issues.

    Litigation is destructive to relationships and families.

    Mediation paves the way to improving communication and deescalating stress and conflict.

    Mediation helps heal families and businesses and sets them up for future success.

    Divorce Coaching provides the support and guidance you need throughout the divorce process.

    Life Transition Coaching helps you gain perspective on your present circumstances and manage the discomfort created by change.

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  • “Divorce is a very stressful time. As we all know, stress can have adverse effects on our health, our work, and our relationships.

    A Wellness Coach is a guide and mentor who empowers you as you set goals and make sustainable changes to improve your health and happiness.

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    I will provide ongoing support and guidance to get you from where you are to where you want to be.”