For us the initial consultation was free ... then there is an individual session for each followed by 1-3 group sessions. Depending how many of those you need depends on the amount. I stuck to one thing through this mediation session stuff ... given the fact she emptied the accounts prior to BD I was not paying for a single thing, in fact the amount she 'stole' I wanted split in half and from that I would agree to pay half the fees. This went well with my "If you want a divorce I will not stand in your way" stance for the most part of this crisis.
Now I am in a bit of a different mind-set/situation. Work has been very good ... over the past 3 years I have had 3 10% increases, she has no idea about this and that's why I think she went the lawyer route thinking she needed to protect her 401k and her finances which were up for negotiations in mediation (She historically has made more but I think I have narrowed the gap significantly). Speculation on my part but avoiding mediation over 3 years and now getting a lawyer (days after the mediator suggesting as much) falls right in line with more MLC cray cray.
I hope it does not end up costing me more .. I am torn between just getting it done and over with ... or actually fighting for what the state would award with S's interest in mind (Thinking any dollar I give up takes a dollar away from him) .... TBH I am doing ok and really do not want anything financially from her, not even out of spite.
The other thing, I still have the VA home loan in my pocket and have set a personal goal to use that and buy S and I a small nice little place we could remodel and make our own ... I can not do this married knowing she would legally be entitled to 1/2 of that too. I hope in about 1 1/2 years I can pull the trigger on this and begin the new chapter.
Truth be said ... the D really changes little .... its a disappointment but more out of a reminder the M has long been over, it does not change my day to day life nor what I have been doing the past 7 months since I left ... I still have 'me' work to do and as with all things I will cross each bridge when I arrive there.
