Southern Illinois Divorce Mediation
- A Kinder Way to Divorce
- Move Forward with Dignity
- Save Time, Money & Stress
- 5-Day Fast Mediation Process
- Led by Experienced Mediator
Healing Starts Here
Find peace and clarity through guided, respectful mediation that puts your family first.
Start with a free case review with Deborah Hawkins, your Southern Illinois mediator.
Call Deborah: (618) 405-9600Book a free case reviewConfidential. No obligation.Connect with us
Talk to a Southern Illinois Divorce Mediator
Start with a free case review with Deborah Hawkins, a Southern Illinois family law attorney and mediator. 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 in Southern Illinois
Confidential. No obligation.
Southern Illinois Divorce & Marriage Mediation
We provide compassionate divorce mediation services to clients throughout Southern Illinois, helping couples navigate the complexities of divorce in a healthier and more peaceful way. Divorce mediation is an alternative method to the often stressful and combative court process, allowing couples to resolve their issues in a collaborative setting. Our highly experienced divorce mediators work to reduce conflict and help you and your spouse reach agreements that meet your family’s needs.
Our Divorce Mediator Services in Southern Illinois
As divorce mediators, we focus on open communication, active listening, and mutual respect. Mediation empowers both parties to have a voice in shaping the divorce settlement, including critical decisions like child custody and visitation arrangements, property division, and spousal support. Unlike in a courtroom, mediation before allows you to remain in control, ensuring that the outcomes reflect your priorities and those of your spouse.
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 Southern Illinois
Local Direct: (618) 405-9600
Toll-free #: +1-888-537-1881 Ext. 127
Fast Divorce Options with Our 5-Day Mediation Process
We understand the emotional toll that divorce can take, which is why at Resolvium, we offer a 5-day divorce mediation process to help couples reach agreements up to five times faster than traditional methods. Our streamlined approach ensures that all key issues, such as child custody, spousal support, and property division, are addressed efficiently while maintaining a high level of care and attention. This fast divorce option allows you to move forward with your life while minimizing stress and conflict.
Divorce Conflict Resolution and Family Support
Our divorce conflict resolution services reduce tension while preserving family stability. Through mediation, we create a safe, supportive environment where both spouses can discuss sensitive topics and work toward a fair resolution. Whether you’re dealing with child custody issues, spousal support, or property division, our goal is to foster a collaborative process that meets the needs of both parties and their families. Our years of experience deliver many positive results including:
- Reduced Stress
- Greater Control
- Custom Methods
- Time-Efficient Sessions
- Cost-Effective
- More Privacy
Contact Resolvium Today to Learn More
If you’re ready to explore a more peaceful and efficient way to handle your divorce, contact us at Resolvium to learn more about our divorce mediation services in Southern Illinois. We’re here to help you find solutions that work for you.
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 $27,000
by mediating instead of going to court
Roughly 90% 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
- $2,490
- Court filing fees
- $500
- Email and phone support
- Included
- Total
- $2,990
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.
Southern Illinois Divorce Mediation: Common Questions
Which Southern Illinois communities does Deborah serve?
Deborah works with couples in Belleville, Edwardsville, O’Fallon, Columbia and the surrounding Metro East. Sessions can often be held by video, so couples elsewhere in Southern Illinois can take part too.
What does divorce mediation cost in Southern Illinois?
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, our guide to divorce mediation cost in Southern Illinois covers the details, and your free case review is the place to get a figure for your situation.
Can we mediate if we live in different towns or counties?
In many cases, yes. Video sessions let both of you take part from wherever you are. Your mediator can explain how filing tends to work when spouses live in different counties.
Do you offer marriage mediation as well as divorce mediation?
Yes. Some couples use mediation to work through conflict without planning to divorce. You can ask about marriage mediation during your free case review.
How long does divorce mediation usually take?
It varies with how many issues are open and how quickly information comes together. Some couples finish in a few sessions, and qualified couples can use the 5-day option. Your mediator can give you a realistic sense of timing after the case review.
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 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. 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.
Southern Illinois Mediation Blog Posts
Why Belleville Couples Choose Mediation Over Court
In Belleville, IL, more couples are choosing court-free divorce as a peaceful alternative to courtroom litigation. Traditional divorce proceedings often involve high costs, long delays,
The Rise of Divorce Mediation in Belleville – What You Need to Know
In Belleville, IL, couples are increasingly turning to divorce mediation as a smarter, more compassionate alternative to courtroom battles. The traditional litigation process can be
Custody Agreements Made Easier with Mediation in Belleville
Navigating child custody can be one of the most emotional parts of a divorce or separation. Parents want what’s best for their children, yet disagreements
Family Mediation in Belleville: Peaceful Resolutions for Parents
Raising children after separation is never easy, especially when disagreements arise between parents. However, families in Belleville, IL have a powerful alternative to court disputes:
Child Custody Mediation in Belleville: Putting Children First
Separation or divorce is never easy, especially when children are involved. Parents often worry about how decisions will affect their child’s future. That’s where custody
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101 W Vandalia St Suite 150
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Service Areas: Highland IL, Fairview Heights IL, O’Fallon IL, Edwardsville IL, Collinsville IL, Alton IL, Jerseyville IL, Creve Couer MO, Sunset Hills MO
Phone: (618) 405-9600
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