Divorce Mediation in St. Louis, Missouri: Settle Without a Courtroom
- A Kinder Way to Divorce
- Move Forward with Dignity
- Save Time, Money & Stress
- 5-Day Fast Mediation Process
- Led by Experienced Mediator
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Talk to a St. Louis Divorce Mediator
Start with a free case review with Deborah Hawkins, a family law attorney and mediator serving St. Louis and the Metro East. It is a short, private conversation about your situation and whether mediation fits.
- Free case review
- A 5-day option for qualified couples, instead of months in court
- A neutral mediator who works for both of you
- You make the decisions, not a judge
Deborah Hawkins, J.D.
Family law attorney and mediator, 20+ years
Confidential. No obligation.
St. Louis, Missouri Divorce Mediators
Most St. Louis couples who divorce never needed two lawyers and a court fight to get there. They needed a structured conversation, someone neutral in the room, and a written agreement the court will accept. That is what mediation is, and for most couples it takes about five days rather than the better part of a year.
Resolvium mediates divorces across St. Louis City and St. Louis County. You keep control of the outcome, you keep the details private, and you keep the money that would otherwise go to two sets of legal fees.
Your St. Louis mediator
Deborah Hawkins mediates on both sides of the river. She holds a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Saint Louis University School of Law, a mediation certificate from Cornell University, and is an LL.M. candidate in Child and Family Law at Loyola University Chicago.
That matters more here than it would elsewhere. St. Louis City and St. Louis County are separate jurisdictions with separate circuit courts, and families in this region routinely have property, work or children’s schooling spread across the Missouri–Illinois line. A mediator who works both sides does not have to guess which court’s expectations an agreement has to satisfy.
What are The Benefits of Divorce Mediation
- Reduced Stress: Mediation eliminates the adversarial nature of traditional litigation, creating a more supportive environment for all parties involved.
- Greater Control: In mediation, you have more control over the outcome and can tailor agreements to your specific needs.
- Child-Focused: Mediation prioritizes the best interests of children, ensuring that their well-being is at the forefront of the process.
- Time-Efficient: Mediation can often be completed more quickly than traditional legal battles, allowing you to move forward with your life sooner.
- Cost-Effective: Mediation can be a more affordable option compared to litigation, saving you both time and money.
- More Privacy: Mediation is a confidential process, protecting your personal information from public scrutiny.
Contact Resolvium St. Louis, MO
Toll-free #: +1-888-537-1881
How divorce works in Missouri
Three things are worth knowing before you start.
- Residency. Either spouse must have lived in Missouri for the 90 days immediately before the petition is filed.
- The 30-day wait. A Missouri court cannot enter a dissolution decree until at least 30 days after the petition is filed, however much both spouses agree.
- Parenting class. In St. Louis County, parents of children under 19 must complete the mandatory parent education class and file the certificate with the court. A parenting plan is due within 30 days of service.
Mediation does not shorten the 30-day statutory wait, and any page telling you otherwise is selling something. What it removes is everything else: the discovery, the motions, the hearing dates, and the months of waiting between them.
What mediation covers
- Division of marital property and debt, including the family home
- Retirement accounts, pensions and deferred compensation
- Spousal maintenance, where either spouse is seeking it
- Parenting plans and custody schedules that meet Missouri’s requirements
- Child support calculated to Missouri’s Form 14
- Cross-border issues where one spouse lives or works in Illinois
Who mediation suits, and who it does not
Mediation works when both spouses can be in the same conversation, even a difficult one, and both are willing to disclose what they own and what they owe.
It is the wrong tool where there is a history of abuse, where one spouse is concealing assets, or where one spouse will not take part honestly. We will say so plainly rather than take the case. If that is your situation, you need a litigator, not a mediator.
Mediation is often the more affordable way to divorce
Many couples don’t realize they can settle their divorce outside the courtroom. This quick estimate compares what court and mediation could cost for a situation like yours.
What Does Divorce Cost? Mediation vs. Court
Three questions. No email required.
Save about $28,000
by mediating instead of going to court
Roughly 93% less, and about 14 months sooner
Where the court money goes
- Attorney fees
- $19,500
- Discovery costs
- $5,400
- Court filing fees
- $3,600
- Experts and evaluators
- $1,500
- Email and phone support
- Billed hourly
- Total
- $30,000
Where the mediation money goes
- Estimated mediation fees
- $1,490
- Court filing fees
- $500
- Email and phone support
- Included
- Total
- $1,990
Free, 30 minutes, no obligation. Bring the numbers above and we will talk through your situation.
Court filing fees average around $500 and vary by jurisdiction. Estimated ranges are based on typical divorce cases we’ve seen; your actual costs depend on your situation.
How Our Fees Work
Divorce is difficult enough without the added stress of unpredictable costs. Here is how the fees are structured, so you can focus on making thoughtful decisions instead of worrying about hidden charges.
Initial Consultation
Your first consultation is a dedicated time to talk through your situation in a supportive, low pressure setting. We use it to understand your priorities, answer your questions, and explain how mediation works.
Ongoing Mediation Sessions
Sessions after the initial consultation are billed hourly, and how many you need depends on the complexity of your situation. The aim is to help you move forward efficiently and thoughtfully, without unnecessary time or cost.
Sharing the Cost
Most couples choose to share the mediation fees equally, which helps keep the process balanced and fair. Arrangements stay flexible and can be adjusted to your circumstances.
A Clear Comparison of Your Divorce Options
What each path typically involves, and what it typically costs.
Litigated Divorce
Mediated Divorce
The Bottom Line
Mediation does not change the outcome of your divorce. It changes the experience.
St. Louis Divorce Mediation: Common Questions
Do you serve both sides of the river?
Yes. Deborah works with couples in St. Louis and across the river in the Illinois Metro East. Sessions can often be held by video, so both of you can take part from home.
What does divorce mediation cost in St. Louis?
Cost mostly depends on how many sessions you need, which depends on how many issues are still open. The estimator above gives a rough range, our fees page explains how billing works, and your free case review is the place to get a figure for your situation.
Can we mediate if our case is filed in St. Louis County?
In many cases, yes. Couples often mediate after a case has been filed. Your mediator can tell you how mediation would fit alongside your court schedule.
Can mediation help us build a parenting plan?
Yes. Parenting schedules, holidays, school decisions and support can all be worked through in mediation. Your mediator can walk you through how the guidelines tend to apply to your family.
Is our mediator on one side?
No. A mediator is neutral and works with both of you. Many people also choose to consult their own attorney before or during mediation, which is common and fine.
Education
- LL.M. Candidate in Child and Family Law - Loyola University Chicago
- Juris Doctor, cum laude - Saint Louis University School of Law
- Mediation Certificate - Cornell University
Deborah Hawkins
Southern Illinois and St. Louis Mediator, Resolvium Mediation Group
Deborah A. Hawkins, J.D., LL.M. Candidate is an experienced family law attorney, mediator, and Guardian ad Litem serving individuals and families throughout Southern Illinois and the St. Louis metro. As the founder of Hawkins Law Office, P.C. in Edwardsville, Illinois, she brings more than two decades of legal experience focused on helping clients navigate complex family transitions with clarity, compassion, and practical solutions.
Deborah earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Saint Louis University School of Law, where she served on Law Journal and received the Academic Excellence Award in Arbitration. She is currently pursuing an LL.M. in Child and Family Law at Loyola University Chicago and recently completed a mediation certificate through Cornell University.
Licensed in Illinois and Missouri, Deborah concentrates her practice in divorce, allocation of parental responsibilities, child support, parentage, adoption, guardianship, and probate matters. She also serves as a family law mediator and probate Guardian ad Litem, helping families reach thoughtful and durable resolutions.
Deborah proudly serves on the mediator panel at Resolvium Mediation, where she assists individuals and families in resolving disputes efficiently and amicably outside of the courtroom. A published author and recognized advocate, she has been named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and actively serves in numerous professional organizations, including the Illinois State Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Council.
Known for her professionalism, integrity, and client-centered approach, Deborah is committed to helping parties move forward with confidence during life’s most challenging transitions.
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Service Areas: St. Louis County: Clayton, Ladue, Frontenac, Town and Country, Creve Coeur, Des Peres, Kirkwood, Webster Groves and Chesterfield. City and south county, toward the Illinois line: Downtown St. Louis, Lafayette Square, Soulard, Sunset Hills and Affton.
And across the river, where the same mediator already practises: Belleville, Edwardsville, O’Fallon and Columbia, Illinois.
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