Mediation can help couples feeling trapped by the recession.

October 08, 2010

Getting help to eek out mutual consent on maintenance and custody issues could save separating couples between €10,000  and €30,000 - the typical cost of a contested divorce in a circuit court. Warring couples heading for the High Court could save anything up to €200,000.  In light of legal costs it is unsurprising that the fall off in divorce applications from 3,588 in 2008 to 3,301 in 2009 is widely attributed to couples being too poor to split.  There are less costly alternatives.

 

During the very painful process of separation, agreeing on anything may seem impossible. There is help in the form of State and private mediation services.  If you are willing or able to wait some time then the State’s over-subscribed Family Mediation Service will assist you as a couple to reach a separation agreement for free, avoiding costly contentious legal proceedings. If, like most separating couples, it is in your or your children’s best interest to set arrangements in place, sooner rather than later, then you should consider private mediation. Although mediators charge approximately €200 per person, per visit, with three or four visits usually required,  this €1,000 could prove to be a wise investment when you consider the thousands you could quickly and easily squander on solicitors and barristers. Check out www.themii.ie for a list of accredited mediators.