The problem with hiring an attorney to represent you in divorce is that your spouse will do the same. You may start off with noble intentions but involving two attorneys only adds to the expense and invites an escalation of your disputes.
You can resolve conflicts amicably by hiring one attorney to mediate your disputes and to draw up the papers for an uncontested divorce. The key is to hire a lawyer-mediator with the focused knowledge and experience to do it right.
Tampa attorney mediator Beth Reineke is Certified by the Florida Supreme Court to conduct divorce and custody mediations.
| Expense category | Traditional litigated divorce Two attorneys |
Pre-suit mediation Reineke Mediations |
| Upfront retainers | $6,000 - $10,000+ Two separate $3k - 5k retainers |
$0 Pay as you go by the hour |
| Hourly rates | $700 - $900+/hr Two separate attorney fees |
$400/hr combined $200/hr per spouse |
| Average timeline | 6 to 18+ months Of stressful court delays |
4 to 6 weeks From settlement to finalized agreement |
| Total financial drain | Often $15,000 to $30,000+ | A fraction of the cost Versus hiring two attorneys |
Our pre-suit mediation rate is $400 per hour, which is typically divided equally between both parties - so each spouse pays just $200 per hour.
Divorce lawyers are just doing their job. They are professionally bound to advocate for you and they love to “win” in court and spend your money. Unfortunately, the aggressive or adversarial approach can drive a wedge into otherwise peaceful and productive negotiations.
You can get divorced without competing attorneys, but uncontested divorce is not quite a do-it-yourself proposition. The average lay person can fall into many traps or overlook important considerations. Serious mistakes in your documents could result in rejection of your settlement by the family court judge or legal ambiguities that come back to haunt you later. Both cost money to fix.
Attorney Beth Reineke has geared her legal practice exclusively to alternatives to litigation. As a neutral mediator:
We decided to go with her vs hiring an attorney to save on costs. Definitely the best decision we could have made.
Divorce is a difficult process, but Beth provided a safe space for both of us to express ourselves and come to an agreement. She is very familiar with the process and this helped move things along smoothly. She is very good about not taking sides and is a perfect mediator.
Not all mediators are licensed attorneys – Beth Reineke brings legal experience and practical insights to the mediation process.
Reineke Mediations has over 3 decades of legal experience in helping families find divorce resolutions.
We believe any aspect of divorce and custody can be resolved without a courtroom fight. Beth Reineke has experience with mediating complex property division, entrenched custody disputes, and high-stakes alimony and child support issues. Reineke Mediations provides creative suggestions, gentle guidance, and reality check wisdom from years of hard work in courtroom wars.
We offer free phone consultations and reasonable rates for mediation, drafting of agreements, preparation of court documents and other mediation services. During your initial consultation, attorney Beth Reineke will discuss the benefits of mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and whether these methods are the right fit for your situation.
Attorney Beth Reineke devotes her law practice exclusively to mediation and other alternative dispute resolution services in divorce, paternity and family law. If you are committed to resolving conflicts without going to war, contact Reineke Mediations for a free telephone consultation. Our Tampa, Florida mediator conducts in person and virtual sessions with couples who live in and about the Tampa Bay Area – primarily, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties.
Call 813-205-6675 or contact us using the form below.
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