Divorce Mediation in Arizona
This article will explain the stages of mediation, discuss when mediation can be used, and answer some common questions about the Arizona divorce mediation process.
We get to know you
Talk with an expert mediator who listens to your needs and explains the process during your free 1-hour consultation.
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During your consultation, your mediator will give you an all-inclusive flat fee quote based on your needs.
It’s that simple
You’ll know about all costs upfront. And we’re the nation's only mediators offering a 0% interest payment plan. We’ve designed our process with your financial stability in mind.
Is my divorce official after mediation is completed?
Mediation agreements must be approved by the court to be official. Your divorce is considered final only when the judge signs off on the divorce decree.
When is mediation not appropriate?
In the vast majority of cases mediation is appropriate and will be successful. However, in certain contexts, mediation may not be appropriate, such as when there has been recent and severe abuse.
What is the difference between divorce mediation and collaborative divorce?
Divorce mediation is a prime example of collaborative divorce.
Instead of butting heads in court, mediation provides a collaborative, supportive atmosphere where spouses can work together to make the best decisions for their future.
Mediation: An excellent solution
The mediation process helps spouses find creative, personalized solutions to important matters. With the help of an expert mediator, spouses can agree on things like marital property division, child custody arrangements, parenting plans, and visitation schedules.
Affordable
There’s one thing that spouses going their separate ways will agree upon: the less costly the divorce, the better.
In traditional divorce litigation, family law attorneys require large retainers and charge by the hour. Litigation costs $15,000 to $20,000 per spouse on average and can easily rise to over $100,000. A private mediator can offer a far more affordable option, where the average cost is 80–90% less than going through the courts. Mediation typically costs $2,500 to $3,500 per spouse.
Less stressful
While some disagreement is normal, heightened emotions and opposing viewpoints can make it hard for spouses to reach an amicable agreement on their own.
Mediation is a less stressful process that promotes openness and agreeable terms. Experienced divorce mediators use their extensive knowledge and training in conflict resolution to ensure that cooler heads prevail when there is disagreement.
Faster
Traditional divorce litigation can only progress as quickly as the overburdened and slow-moving family court systems allow. By contrast, in mediation, it’s the spouses who set the pace.
Like many other parts of life, mediation has adapted to the digital space. Spouses can attend online mediation meetings and complete their entire divorce process from any location they choose
Confidential
Unlike litigation, where each spouse's divorce attorney makes personal attacks and makes private matters a part of the public record, everything discussed during mediation meetings is kept confidential.
In mediation, spouses’ and their children’s personal details and private lives remain private.
Better for children
Divorce mediation prioritizes your children’s best interests. By promoting open communication and mutual respect, mediation sets the groundwork for a strong co-parenting relationship that prioritizes your kids’ futures. Research shows that conflict causes long-term harm to children—not the divorce itself. Children’s health and well-being are protected when parents keep conflict low through mediation.
- Child custody. In physical and legal custody matters, your mediator’s top priority is the well-being of the children. With that in mind, mediators help spouses decide on the best path forward for their family. In Arizona, custody is referred to as legal decision-making authority. Parents can agree to joint legal decision-making authority or sole legal decision-making authority.
- Child support. In mediation, spouses can decide on child support arrangements to ensure that whichever parent has more time with the kids receives adequate financial support. Your mediator will guide you through the Arizona Child Support Calculator and explain that you have a choice about whether to follow the law or create their own agreement. This helps spouses provide a stable, consistent environment for their children and minimize the divorce’s impact on their lives.
- Property division. Mediation helps spouses decide how they’ll divide marital assets like bank accounts, retirement accounts, real estate, business interests, and vehicles.
- Parenting time. Parents will work with their mediator to create a parenting time schedule that works best for everyone. Parenting time may be shared equally. Parents can choose various schedules depending on their work schedules and the children’s ages. When equal time isn’t possible or preferred, mediators share creative schedule options that maximize time with parents while focusing on the children’s best interests.
- Alimony. In cases where one spouse earns little or no monthly income, they can receive financial support from the other spouse. This is called alimony, or spousal maintenance in Arizona, and it can also be decided during the mediation process.
“They made a not-so-easy process seem almost effortless.”
Not only is it their knowledge of the process, but it's the way they made me feel during the whole thing.
— Brittany F.
“...highly recommend…”
I would highly recommend The Aurit Center to family and/or friends in need of their services. Michael is truly a professional, and he handled our case with compassion and understanding. During such a difficult life event, Michael and his staff truly made my experience bearable. They are easy to work with and always demonstrate efficiency and courteous attitude. Thanks to all of you for guiding me through the divorce mediation process.
— Dylan D.
“Truly five-star service all the way.”
The patience and kindness that was given to me throughout the process made me feel at ease. I felt like family.
— Patrick F.
“They made a not-so-easy process seem almost effortless.”
Not only is it their knowledge of the process, but it's the way they made me feel during the whole thing.
— Brittany F.
“...highly recommend…”
I would highly recommend The Aurit Center to family and/or friends in need of their services. Michael is truly a professional, and he handled our case with compassion and understanding. During such a difficult life event, Michael and his staff truly made my experience bearable. They are easy to work with and always demonstrate efficiency and courteous attitude. Thanks to all of you for guiding me through the divorce mediation process.
— Dylan D.
“Truly five-star service all the way.”
The patience and kindness that was given to me throughout the process made me feel at ease. I felt like family.
— Patrick F.
Michael Gangnath
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