With the economy in a serious downturn, many Americans are looking for sensible alternatives to survive the crunch. To dodge the skyrocketing gas prices, some are trying hybrid vehicles, biodiesel fuels, and public transportation. To avoid the sting of the housing market slump, sellers are offering flat screen televisions and gift cards to woo potential buyers. And to suppress the every-growing costs of a traditional litigated divorce, separating couples are looking to divorce mediation.

Consider this, a low conflict traditional divorce, with some negotiation but an uncontested final judgment, can cost around $40,000. The same low conflict divorce reached via mediation could cost as little as $8,500. That’s nearly five times less expensive than the traditional divorce. To put that in perspective, the savings are equal to several all-inclusive two-week trips to Hawaii.

The contrast in price in high conflict divorces is even starker. A fully contested divorce can run a couple as much as $350,000. Compare that to $25,000 for the same divorce resolved in mediation. The savings with mediation can buy you nearly anything you want, including a house in Ft. Lauderdale, a law school education, and a Rolls Royce.

While saving money is not the only or best reason to try mediation, it doesn’t hurt. And knowing that you will have money in the bank during this and future economic crises is reason enough to consider mediation as your sensible alternative to traditional divorce.