"How long will divorce mediation take? How long are the sessions?"

Because each and every mediation is unique, it is hard to predict exactly how long your mediation will last. In general, full divorces, including custody issues, division of property, and assets take between three and eight sessions. In addition, the mediator will take time to prepare the Memorandum of Understanding, outlining all of the agreements that you have reached through the mediation process. Mediation is voluntary and any party, including the mediator, may end it at any time.

Generally, mediation sessions are scheduled to last from one and a half hours to two hours, depending on the couple's needs and available time.

Brian James is an experienced  divorce and family mediator with offices throughout Chicagoland and Southeastern Wisconsin. He runs a mediation practice, C.E.L. and Associates. He can be reached at (312) 524-5829. View his Divorce Magazine profile.