Divorce Mediation and Family Law Mediation
Divorce Mediation IN NEW JERSEY
Divorce mediation is about you and your soon to be ex-spouse, taking control of the unfortunate situation, and making decisions that are best for you and your family. At our firm, we understand that Divorce, Separation, or Custody disputes were never part of your dream or intended goal but can become a reality. In mediation, you and your spouse meet with a neutral third party called a mediator. Ms. Fiorino as the mediator will help you work through the issues and avoid a lengthy and costly divorce. As a trained mediator, Ms. Fiorino can resolve even the most difficult issues thereby enabling you to end your marriage as amicably and cost effectively as possible. The topics of mediation frequently include but are not limited the following:
- Distribution of Property (Assets/Liabilities)
- Child Custody and Parenting Time
- Discussion of Child Support/Maintenance
- Retirement
- Taxes
Sometimes mediation is done voluntarily but it can also be court ordered. I Ms. Fiorino has been trained through a court approved program in the art of family law and divorce mediation. Additionally, over the past 19 years in practice, Ms. Fiorino has represented thousands of people from all walks of life, allowing for a better understanding of your needs. A New Jersey Divorce can be an emotionally charged, and an intense experience, but a trained mediator can turn it into a positive outcome for your family.
How long does divorce mediation take and what are the costs?
The length of mediation depends on each parties willingness to keep an open mind and the willingness to agree. It can take as little as a few hours on one day to multiple sessions over several days. The time spent in mediation can be minimal if each party keeps an open mind and comes to the table with an eye towards resolution. In fact, you and your spouse may agree on some issues even before you arrive, leaving some of the more difficult ones to the mediator. However, if you and your spouse are not able to discuss your divorce outside of mediation due to heightened anger or intense emotions, it may be best to leave it to the mediator. Sometimes, when couples try to work out issues on their own it may lead to arguments and “drawing lines in the sand”, thus making mediation more difficult and time consuming.
Not many people walk away from a litigated divorce feeling satisfied. On the other hand, couples who went through mediation felt satisfied with the agreements they had reached and both walked away feeling that they had gotten what they had wanted or were better able to control the outcome. The cost of mediation is also something you control. An hourly rate is agreed upon and paid at each session. Mediation can cost a few hundred dollars or it can cost more depending on the time needed to address the issues. Nonetheless, mediation is much less costly than a divorce which can cost tens of thousands of dollars and is not in your control. Often with divorces, you will have to pay a hefty retainer fee which will be billed against as the work is performed. When the retainer is depleted, you will be billed and must pay or representation can be terminated. With mediation, you control the time taken to mediate and the amount paid.
Who other than you would you rather have decide what happens with your children and assets? Why leave it up to a judge who has no real interest in your life? Instead, take advantage of mediation and try to reach an agreement that results in a better outcome for you and your family. A trained mediator can help you accomplish this.