David A. Casey-  Divorce Mediation Attorney

Family Law Attorney's     average fees

The time you don't use can be applied to  the cost of the documents. 

Petition, Summons and Poof of Service-  1/4 hours of time or $50

UCCJEA form 1/3 hour of time or $50

Disclosure workshop client writes out-  review 1/2 hr or $100

Marital Settlement Draft on behalf of parties. $600 without children, $750 with children. First draft.

All other mediator time billed at $150 per hour.

6 hours of mediation time 

The average is the following:

1/2 hr. with both parties.  (1hr total)

2 Hours mediation regarding visitation and custody issues,

1/2 hour re support issues

3 hrs working out the parties entire agreement,

12 hours of mediation time

The average is the following.

45 minutes with both parties.  (1 1/2 hrs total)

1  1/2 hours together getting to know issues jointly

2 Hours mediation regarding visitation and custody issues,

1/2 hour re support issues

1/2 hour spousal support issues.

5 1/2  hrs working out the parties entire agreement

1/2 hrs going over MSA with both parties.

4 hours of mediation time 

The average is the following.

1/2 hr. with both parties. 1 hr. total

3 hrs mediation regarding all other issues.

With children Contested

$3000 - $5000

Without or non contested  $1,500 to $2,500 to start

Average cost of contested $12,000 - $15,000

Protracted litigation

$40,000 to $60,000

Average cost per hour for an experienced attorney

$275.00 to $450 per hour.

Average around $320

Average cost of letters between attorneys $100. Letters to client . $75

OSC court hearing for average hearing and documents, $2500

Disclosure forms, I&E and Schedule of Assets

$1000.00

CCC hearing $300

MSA  $1600 - $2500

Deposition $2000

Trial $6000 to $10000

2.  For each 30 minutes NOT USED, you  receive a credit  of $75 towards  drafting documents.

3. All documents are drafted in the parties names (in pro per).  

4. Delivery documents to court on behalf of parties.  $50

5. No extra charge for Proof of Services for the court.

No credit. 

Attorney name on  documents.

$75 for court delivery service.

Proof of Service $50 plus deliver fees to the court.

REMEMBER THE AMOUNTS  LISTED ABOVE ARE  FOR ONE PERSON!  SO THE OVER ALL COST IS TWICE THAT AMOUNT.

It is sometimes necessary to utilize the services of a full litigation attorney, however, when considering the costs involved without any guarantee of the end results, the parties end up being more disappointed.  After 18 years of hardcore litigation, my skills at negotiation and dealing with tough issues, tough judges, and working in the most difficult environments, I can now work for your benefit and in most all cases get very positive results.  

What are the benefits for children?

• Focuses attention on the children and in doing what is best for the children
• Minimizes the harmful effects of divorce and separation on children
• Agreements can take into account the personal needs of children in much more detail than other kinds of agreements
• Child specialists provide a constructive way for the children to have a voice in the process without triangulating them between the parents or over empowering them in the decision making process
• Children adjust better to their parent’s divorce than do children of parents who simply go through the litigation process; the children are happier, more secure, more reassured and less distressed
• Presents a cooperative model for addressing future changes in the lives of the children
• Establishes a sound foundation for post-separation parenting arrangements

       HOW can the “Law office of David A. Casey” help?   My services as a mediator are to mediate the issues arising out of your family law matters.   Because you will make informed decisions about you and your family,  you will be able to embrace your agreement knowing that each party has negotiated a fair and reasonable outcome thus saving the emotional duress of your family and money. 

      Why would you want all of your hard earned assets be eaten up by attorney fees?  Mediation helps keep you from going to court and having someone else deciding what you may or may not do.   Mediation will  take some of the stress out of  the decision making process  because you will both have the same information provided to you with which to negotiate fairly.    You won't have an attorney "waiting" to litigate.  My goal is assist you and to provide you with the information you need to reach an amicable outcome that you both can live with.   Resolution mediation includes  DIVORCE, Child Custody and Visitation, Child and Spousal Support, Avoiding TRO's, determination of Paternity, property settlements, and other related topics pertaining to family law matters.

Get knowledgeable- Get Mediation!   

  WHY should you Mediate?

             There are very few experienced Family Law attorneys who have turned their practice into Mediation.  The matters involved in Family Law are sensitive issues.   My office is small and works on a very personal level to help the parties resolve their problems instead of promoting litigation.   Why litigate and spend thousands of dollars, if you can mediate instead?  

           If you are involved in Family law issues, they are very  emotional and stressful situations.  They can be overwhelming and your legal options seem to be so confusing.  This is probably why you feel that you need to turn to an attorney to help you.     

           Mediation takes out  much of  the  emotional stress out of the process.   Divorce mediation is a fair process where both parties reach a mutually agreeable agreement.  Both parties participate  in the entire process.  No one can guarantee the results of Mediation and certainly it is even more impossible to guarantee what the judge would order in a ten minute hearing.  However,  by  participating in the Mediation, you will be given the tools and information you need to make an informed decision that will be in the best interest of both you and your family.  You will have control to make decisions. 

           I'm a firm believer that divorce,  child  custody,  support issues can be settled in Mediation.  I have practiced family law and have been in intense litigation.   Based on my expertise, I do have faith that the parties can make good decisions without the court's assistance.  I want to be that person to mediate with you.  I believe that you will expend less time and money and feel comfortable with the outcome rather than to litigate.  

WHO Should You Choose to Mediate?          

             When it comes to Family Law Matters, complex or small,  David A. Casey has the experience  needed for mediation to work.  The Law Office of David A. Casey has provided quality representation to many satisfied clients over the years and now provides effective Mediation services. 

           Divorce is not just the ending of a marriage. Determining your rights to community and separate property, involving  assets, retirement and pension rights including military benefits, are difficult tasks.  Although the court system offers a free consultation with a facilitator,  it is very limited.  You probably end up filing papers but there is more to a case than just filing papers.  You are left to fend for yourself.  Feeling frustrated you find that you have to make several trips back to the facilitator.    

           Litigation only makes an unwilling and uncooperative party even more so.  Mediation helps to lower the tension so that the parties can work towards a meaningful agreement.  The cost of Mediation is normally a fractional cost of hiring an attorney.   I was involved in family law litigation for many years and  I  believe that mediation can and does help couples or partners avoid the pitfalls of court room litigation.

           If there are special problems to address,  Mediation is much more effective than making these "touchy" problems public.  A person may be willing to get help but when backed into a corner during court litigation they normally come out fighting.  The only real winners are the attorneys. The Mediation Office of David A. Casey effectively handles these special areas with sensitivity.

          The Family Law - Mediation Office of David A. Casey takes pride in giving quality mediation on a  personal level, keeping the needs and desires of the the parties in mind.   My office staff is compassionate, friendly and understands how difficult and confusing legal issues affect the individuals and their families.  No matter if  there is a simple problems or if you have a complex one, you are both treated with importance. The goal of this office is to work effectively towards getting both of you to come to satisfying results with an agreement you both can live without costing you most, if not all, of your hard earned assets or going into debt.  I certainly  would not  want to leave these important decisions up to a total stranger when I could have input into it.  Most of the time the parties  accomplish their  goals with less bitterness they thought possible. 

You can hire an attorney to litigate or you can try mediation and work in a positive direction.   WEIGH THE DIFFERENCE!  KNOW YOUR OPTIONS!   Mediation does make a difference!