Q. How am I protected in mediation?

A. You will make decisions only after reviewing the facts and discussing a variety of options. You will show your agreement to an outside attorney before making a final decision. You won't sign anything until you are convinced that it is in your best interest to do so. You will have assistance from us all along the way in analyzing your options and making wise choices.

Q. How long does a mediation take?

A. Each session takes about two hours. The number of sessions ranges from 3-10. The best predictor of how long the mediation takes is your readiness to get divorced. You and your spouse will control how long the process takes. Couples who complete their financial disclosure forms by the second session find that their mediation goes quickly.

Q. When should we start mediation?

A. Most people start as soon as they know that they want a divorce. Some couples come to us wishing that they could find a way to stay married. If your first choice is to stay married, but you think that divorce might be inevitable, we can help you design a 2-part contract, the first being a marriage contract and the second being your divorce settlement. We find that couples who do this rarely want us to file their divorce settlement. What makes the difference and seems to be a key factor in marriage preservation is having marital rights and responsibilities discussed and agreed upon in writing.

Q. What if my spouse is hesitant to try mediation?

A. Ask him or her to give us a call, so that we can explain the mediation process and answer any questions. (800-748-6462)

Q. Do you offer a free initial consultation?

A. We are happy to talk with each of you on the phone ahead of time, so that all of us can decide if we want to work together. We do not offer a free consultation in our office.

Q. What does it cost?

A. Our fee is $360 an hour for the two of us, payable at the end of each session. Payments may be made by check, MasterCard, or Visa. We do not take a retainer or send you bills.

Once all agreements are reached, we charge a $3000 flat fee, which pays for the completion of all court documents, a first draft and a revised draft of the Marital Settlement Agreement, the signing session, and other work we do between sessions, all of which amounts to about ten hours of behind-the-scenes work on our part.

The cost of a divorce mediation at Coast To Coast usually ranges from $5,500 to $7,500.

Q. What do we need to bring to the first session?

A. Nothing. You will fill out financial disclosures between the first and second sessions, but don't need to bring any information to the first meeting.

Q. How do I get an appointment?

A. Either call us at 800.748.6462 or send us an e-mail at staff@ctcmediation.com. We can usually set up an appointment within a week of your call.