High-Conflict Divorce and Cost-Effective Mediated Pathways

Based in Irvine, California, Dr. Miriam Galindo maintains a private psychology practice and offers counseling to children and families in high-conflict divorce cases. Dr. Miriam Galindo also serves on an Orange County Superior Court panel of approved experts and is able to guide families through the court system.
Although most divorces in California are not regarded as highly contentious, many have that potential, particularly when custody is at stake. The problems associated with high-conflict divorces go beyond emotional stress to the children and parents and involve cost. On average, litigated divorces cost more than $75,000 to see through to completion. In contrast, collaborative divorces average out at just under $19,723, and mediated divorces cost just $6,600 on average.
Unfortunately, contested divorces often preclude mediation. Even if one party is conciliatory and willing to engage in give-and-take, the spouse must also be willing to negotiate for the least expensive process to move forward. In certain cases, counseling can help bring opposed parties together in ways that allow mediation to occur.
