You want to plan for a divorce, not a war.

De-escalate. Get unstuck. Get closure. Save money and get on with your life.

Most people who come to me aren’t looking for a fight. They want to end their marriage without destroying each other, without a judge making decisions about their kids, their future, and their finances, and without spending tens of thousands on attorneys who bill by the hour.

That’s what mediation is for. And it works – if you’re both willing to show up and do it right.

 

We’ve saved our clients over $5M collectively in legal fees since 2019

We wrap most of our cases up in about 4 months. Most mediated cases take 6-12 months. Most litigated cases take over a year. 

We charge flat fees – no hourly billing, no surprises, no problems

"I just want it to be fair."

“I don’t want to screw the other party…but I don’t want to get screwed either.”

That’s the most common thing I hear. The couples who do well in mediation aren’t ones who have no conflict. They aren’t the ones who have no fear or anger or distrust – that’s par for the course. But they are the ones who’ve decided they’d rather make hard decisions together than hand them to a courtroom. And they want someone experienced in their corner – not to help them ‘win’, but to make sure nothing gets missed.

If you have a house, a retirement account, kids, or just years of shared finances to untangle, there’s real complexity there. Doing it without proper guidance is how people end up with agreements they regret, tens of thousands in legal bills, or lasting conflict they didn’t even start the process with.

Yes, it’s right for you if you're both:

Willing to stay out of court
Ready to share financial info honestly
Able to make decisions without using the process as punishment
Looking for practical solutions, not a 'win'
Interested in prioritizing common sense, civility, and timely, practical solutions.
You want to maintain control of decisions for your family rather than leaving them to a judge.

No, it’s not a good fit if:

You or your spouse refuse to participate honestly or compromise.
You are seeking a “win at all costs” or using the process as punishment.
You want to fight over every detail rather than find practical solutions.
You have unmanaged or untreated addiction or serious behavioral issues.
You reject basic facts, laws, or the meaning of “no-fault” divorce.
You use intimidation, delays, verbal attacks, or coercion to control outcomes.

The Litigation Trap

When people say "laywer up," they mean well.

But it’s usually bad advice.

You hear it everywhere: in Facebook groups, from well meaning family members and friends.  “Protect yourself. Lawyer up. Don’t let them take advantage of you.”

The problem is that hiring separate attorneys doesn’t protect you – it escalates you. Each attorney is paid to advocate for their client, which means more motions, more back-and-forth, more billable hours, and more conflict. The process rewards disagreement. The longer it drags out, the more everyone bills.

Most couples who litigate didn’t set out to fight. They started with one attorney. The other spouse felt threatened and hired their own. Things escalated from there.

Meidation:

Flat fee, known upfront
3-4 months, typically
Private, collaborative, neutral process
YOU make the decisions
Structured to REDUCE conflict
Built to support co-parenting during and post divorce

Litigation:

$15,000-$50,000+ per person
12-18 months average
Public court record
A judge decides, not you
Conflict escalates
Co-parenting relationship often damaged

The couples who get hurt the worst aren’t the ones who fought from the beginning. They’re the ones who followed well-meaning advice, hired attorneys to “be safe,” and watched a manageable divorce become a two-year financial drain. 

The Colorado Divorce Cost Calculator

Predictable Costs vs. Unpredictable Litigation

Divorce in Colorado can be expensive—and the final bill often comes as a shock. Attorney billing, hidden fees, and unpredictable court costs leave even careful planners guessing.

At Open Space Mediation, we believe clarity is your right. That’s why we created Colorado’s first interactive Divorce Cost Calculator—so you can see your potential expenses upfront.

Liz Merrill Colorado Divorce Mediator

Colorado Divorce Mediator

Hello! I’m Liz

I came to this work through my own divorce. I had two degrees, a legal team, and thought of myself as someone who could handle hard things. I still felt completely in the dark. The mediation we did felt like a box being checked – more for the attorneys than for us. We spent a full day and walked away with almost nothing resolved. I kept thinking: there has to be a more human way to do this.

So I built it.

When we get on a call, I’m not there to sell you anything. I genuinely want to figure out whether mediation is the right fit for your situation because if it isn’t, this process will be hard for both of us. But if I think it can work, I’ll tell you that too. I’ve sat where you’re sitting. And I’ve watched couples who didn’t think they could get through this do it faster and more peacefully than they ever expected.

OUR SERVICES

Flat fee packages. No hourly billing. No surprises.

Every package includes professional guidance, coordinated financial support, and complete agreements ready to file with the court. The right package is determined by your set of circumstances, not your preference.

Here’s the thing: If $4,950 feels like a lot, consider that the average contested divorce costs $15,000–$30,000 per person. Mediation isn’t cheap, but it is dramatically cheaper than the alternative.

The Express Path

For couples who are already aligned and want to finalize quickly.

You agree on the big picture. You just need a professional to make sure you’re doing it correctly and completely, so nothing comes back to bite you later.

Starting at

$1,750

 

The Collaborative Path

For couples with shared property or assets who want a fair outcome without a courtroom. No minor children.

Hiring two attorneys to divide a house and retirement accounts can easily cost you a combined $20,000–$40,000. This is the other option.

Starting at

$4,950

The Co-Parenting Path

Everything in The Collaborative Path, plus a comprehensive parenting plan. Required when there are minor children.

The agreement you reach here will govern where your children sleep, who makes decisions about their health and education, how you handle holidays, and what happens when one of you wants to relocate. It matters more than any asset.

Starting at

$6,500

The Guided Resolution

For situations where one partner is hesitant, overwhelmed, or communication has broken down.

Divorce doesn’t always start at the same time for both people. Sometimes one of you has been processing this for months. The other just found out. That gap is real, and trying to push through it without structure usually ends in court.

This package is built for that gap.

Starting at

$9,000

Those Who

Found Their Peace

Get Started Today

If you’re ready to begin a calm, respectful, and empowering separation process, schedule a free discovery session today. Whether you’re looking for divorce and mediation, affordable divorce mediator Colorado, or mediation divorce Colorado, we’re ready to support you every step of the way.