What fighting after divorce costs your family
Custody battles, modifications, contempt filings — the legal bill is only part of the price.
Contested / Litigated
$28,000+
Two attorneys billing by the hour. Retainers, motions, and court dates compound quickly.
Traditional Mediation
$5,000
One neutral mediator at $150–$300 per hour. Multiple sessions are typically required.
SerenityNow
$500
AI-guided process for both parties. No hourly billing, no surprise invoices.
Cumulative costs over 18 months
SerenityNow resolves before the chart even starts.
| Month | Contested | Traditional mediation | SerenityNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | $3,500 | $800 | $500 |
| Month 3 | $8,500 | $2,200 | $500 |
| Month 6 | $14,000 | $4,500 | $500 |
| Month 9 | $20,000 | $5,000 | $500 |
| Month 12 | $27,000 | $5,000 | $500 |
| Month 15 | $34,000 | $5,000 | $500 |
| Month 18 | $40,000 | $5,000 | $500 |
Hidden costs nobody talks about
Mental health treatment
~$5,500Lost productivity at work
~$4,200Duplicate property costs
~$22,000Child-related disruption
~$3,800Total hidden cost estimate: $35,500+
When you add direct legal fees (~$28,000) to these hidden costs, total impact often exceeds $60,000.
Three paths compared
| What matters | Contested | Trad. Med. | SerenityNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total average cost | $28,000+ | $5,000 | $500 flat |
| Average duration | 14–18 months | 3–6 months | Days to weeks |
| Control over outcome | Judge decides | You negotiate | You decide |
| Privacy | Public record | Confidential | Confidential |
| Coparenting relationship | Often damaged | Often intact | Preserved |
| Court ready agreement | Eventually | Usually | Always included |
| Hourly billing | Yes | Yes | No — flat fee |
"Litigation is the nuclear option. It solves the immediate conflict but often costs more than the house you're fighting over."
— Family law practitioner, 20+ years experience
SerenityNow: $500 flat fee
10x less than a mediator. Court ready agreements you can trust.
Both parties guided through a calm, structured process from start to finish.
SerenityNow is not a law firm. Cost estimates are educational and illustrative — actual costs vary widely based on jurisdiction, complexity, and the professionals involved.