Divorce Mediation
Divorce Mediation. What is it? Simply put, divorce mediation is the reaching of a divorce agreement without involving the court and using the assistance of a neutral third party. It is a process that can, and usually does, save you and your spouse thousands of dollars in legal fees and costs.
Our approach to divorce mediation is to concentrate on communication and problem solving. Mediation is not counseling, but rather it is an opportunity to have an open and honest dialogue about the issues you need to resolve in order to get divorced. Our job as your divorce mediator is not to simply give you an opinion as to how you should settle, but rather guide you and your spouse to an agreement. Divorce mediation helps you and your spouse work through each issue in a methodical fashion.
The important thing to know about divorce mediation is that it is completely confidential. This means, much like Las Vegas, what happens in divorce mediation, stays in divorce mediation. Neither the mediator nor either the parties can repeat anything that occurred during the mediation process. The purpose of this confidentiality is to foster open communication about all of the issues. It is really an essentially part of the divorce mediation process.
The length of divorce mediation will depend on what issues have been agreed to prior to mediation and what we need to be address. Also, the amount of time spent in mediation is based upon you and your spouse’s willingness to come to an agreement. The time spent in mediation can be reduced if you and your spouse resolve some issues prior to mediation so that the issues are narrowed. However, if you and your spouse are not able to discuss your divorce outside of mediation, it is strongly recommended that you avoid it at all costs. In our experience, divorce mediation requires between 3 and 8 sessions, on average.
According to a study published in Money magazine, the average divorce mediation cost around $3,000 and takes approximately three months. We have had mediation cases cost only $1,000 and take one mediation session. We have had others take a full year and cost more than $10,000. The number of issues, the information needed, the complexity of the issues and the emotional state of the parties are all factors in the how long divorce mediation takes and, in turn, how much it costs.
Importantly, the cost of litigating your divorce instead of resolving it through mediation can be financially devastating. The average litigated divorce in New Jersey costs approximately $10,000 to $15,000 and takes between 12 and 24 months. If your case does not settle, a Trial can cost $25,000 to $50,000 or more. No one knows your situation like you do. We stress that you do not want a judge, who is a stranger to your life, to make decisions about how to resolve your divorce. By going to mediation, you and your spouse have all the power to reach an agreement that you think is fair and reasonable under the circumstances. Also, remember that divorce in the court system is public. Anybody can sit in court and hear about your life. Divorce mediation is confidential, private and conducted behind closed doors.
If you want to start the divorce mediation process, give us a call at 732-529-6937. If you and your spouse are headed for divorce, do not spend all your money on a litigated divorce. Let us help you reach an agreement quickly and inexpensively. To learn more about mediation, visit our practice area page.
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Previte & Nachlinger, P.C., is a divorce and family law firm in Piscataway and Morristown, New Jersey. Visit our website: www.centraljerseyfamilylaw.com.