Divorce Mediation Fees: Mediator Matthew House, J.D.
Matthew House understands that couples and families going through a divorce are probably experiencing some level of financial stress. Matthew strives to provide an efficient process with the lowest total fees of any law-degreed divorce mediator with similar experience in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. After the consultation, the Standard Fee is $246 per hour. Total anticipated fees:
Typical process if you have no minor children: Two sessions of two hours each; 2.5 hours for the Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) Basic Drafting Fee; one hour to review the MSA with you.
Typical process if you have minor children and/or if any of your children are 18-20 years of age and attending school: Three sessions of two hours each; 3.5 hours for the Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) Basic Drafting Fee; one hour to review the MSA with you.
Some processes may take longer, depending on conflict and complexity. If more time is needed, those services are billed at the standard fee of $246 per hour. If you will be selling a home or transferring a retirement account, there is an additional fee to document that information in the MSA.
In a full divorce mediation process, there is no fee for your kids (ages 12-22)* to meet with Matthew, as long as Matthew has time available. *In certain cases, if you so request, Matthew may be willing to meet with an 11-year-old child.
Matthew refers clients to a trusted paralegal to fill out the divorce forms and incorporate the MSA. Next, the paralegal's supervising attorney reviews her documents. The paralegal's fee of $500 is paid to her and is not included above. Her document and the attorney's review takes approximately 10 business days. Electronic filing, monitoring the case, and mailing each party a copy of the dissolution judgment are included in the paralegal’s fee.
Matthew's fees do not include court fees. As of February 2025, the filing fee is $301. If you want to check the most current fee schedule for the filing fee, you may do so by clicking here.
If you have minor children, Oregon law requires a specific divorce parenting class. The fee ($80 to $200) is paid to the course administrator at the time that you register for the class.
Typical process if you have no minor children: Two sessions of two hours each; 2.5 hours for the Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) Basic Drafting Fee; one hour to review the MSA with you.
- Before Session #1: $799 (two-hour session + 50% of the MSA Basic Drafting Fee)
- Before Session #2: $799 (two-hour session + 50% of the MSA Basic Drafting Fee)
- Before any additional sessions after the first two: $492 (per two-hour Session)
- After final mediation session: Additional fees based on the agreed-upon conditions of the MSA.
- Before the one-hour review session: $246
Typical process if you have minor children and/or if any of your children are 18-20 years of age and attending school: Three sessions of two hours each; 3.5 hours for the Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) Basic Drafting Fee; one hour to review the MSA with you.
- Before Session #1: $922.50 (two-hour session plus 50% of the MSA Basic Drafting Fee)
- Before Session #2: $922.50 (two-hour session plus 50% of the MSA Basic Drafting Fee)
- Before Session #3 and any additional session: $492 (two-hour session)
- After final mediation session: Any additional fees based on the agreed-upon conditions of the MSA.
- Before the one-hour review session: $246
Some processes may take longer, depending on conflict and complexity. If more time is needed, those services are billed at the standard fee of $246 per hour. If you will be selling a home or transferring a retirement account, there is an additional fee to document that information in the MSA.
In a full divorce mediation process, there is no fee for your kids (ages 12-22)* to meet with Matthew, as long as Matthew has time available. *In certain cases, if you so request, Matthew may be willing to meet with an 11-year-old child.
Matthew refers clients to a trusted paralegal to fill out the divorce forms and incorporate the MSA. Next, the paralegal's supervising attorney reviews her documents. The paralegal's fee of $500 is paid to her and is not included above. Her document and the attorney's review takes approximately 10 business days. Electronic filing, monitoring the case, and mailing each party a copy of the dissolution judgment are included in the paralegal’s fee.
Matthew's fees do not include court fees. As of February 2025, the filing fee is $301. If you want to check the most current fee schedule for the filing fee, you may do so by clicking here.
If you have minor children, Oregon law requires a specific divorce parenting class. The fee ($80 to $200) is paid to the course administrator at the time that you register for the class.