Monterey College of Law introduces a mediation program aimed at low-income divorcees.

Marriage usually isn’t cheap, but neither is divorce. Thanks to a new program at the Monterey College of Law, splits for low-income locals are suddenly affordable.

“I know people who spent $30,000 on a divorce when it’s simple,” says Isabel Bjork, executive director of MCL’s Mandell Gisnet Center. “And I know people who’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on divorces when they have a lot of money.”

Bjork says even a “cheap” divorce – one in which both parties agree to terms – typically ranges from $5,000-$10,000 for each party.

MCL’s new divorce mediation program, which started Sept. 1, is aimed at those low-income divorcees. Acceptance into the program is based on income guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“We’re providing a service to a group of people that doesn’t have enough money to hire a lawyer,” Bjork says.

The program works like this: Would-be divorcees apply to MCL’s mediation program. If they meet income requirements, they attend four mediation sessions facilitated by lawyers, certified mediators and law students. Those mediators handle the legal paperwork.

“We promote mediation irrespective of the situation, unless there’s domestic violence,” Bjork says. “Mediation in Monterey County is expensive; a lot of people can’t afford it. We’re trying to merge those two concepts.”

The mediation sessions cost about $1,500, including a court filing fee of $435.

“That’s really low,” Bjork says. “It’s almost impossible to get out of a divorce for less than $5,000.”