Saddle Brook Divorce Mediation Lawyer

Nutley Office
187 Washington Ave, Suite 2F
Nutley, NJ 07110

Montclair Office
28 Valley Road, Suite 1
Montclair, NJ 07042

Why We Focus on Men and Fathers

Divorce Mediation Attorney in Saddle Brook, NJ

It’s always important to prepare for the worst in a divorce. Even if you and your spouse say you are going to work together to end your marriage, it’s always possible for an uncontested divorce to have some degree of friction. Even worse, it can turn into a contested one. A contested divorce can end up being expensive, emotional, and unpredictable. You may want to consider mediation as an alternative to litigation. A Saddle Brook divorce mediation lawyer can assist your case.

The legal team at Shore 2 Shore Mediation, LLC knows what to expect from a divorce mediation case. We can walk you through New Jersey’s divorce mediation laws and help you understand what you can expect from the mediation process. A Saddle Brook divorce mediation attorney may be the most important asset at your disposal during your divorce. 

Our legal team has over 20 years of combined experience helping clients just like you mediate through a divorce. We can help.

Things to Remember During the Mediation Process

If you decide to file for divorce in Saddle Brook, your case will be handled in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County, particularly in the Family Division. You can find this court at the Bergen County Justice Center in Hackensack. They handle all divorce-related legal matters, including child custody, asset division, and even mediation. New Jersey has a divorce rate of 2.2 per 1,000 people and a marriage rate of 49.3%. Your case may not be as unique as you thought.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to sit down with your spouse and a neutral third party to discuss things rationally, especially when the alternative is a long, drawn-out, expensive court battle. You can trust a mediator to be confidential, unbiased, and to respect the process, as they are required to adhere to a code of conduct. It’s recommended that you keep certain factors in mind while engaging in divorce mediation. Here are some of those factors:

• Keep Your Emotions in Check: Getting divorced may not be an easy process for you. You may have been blindsided by your spouse’s filing. You may even want some sort of revenge. Push those feelings aside during mediation. The entire point of this divorce process is to reach an amicable resolution and compromise in an effort to avoid the expense and turmoil of litigation. Don’t let your emotions control you throughout this process.
• Don’t Forget To Prepare: Divorce mediation may not be as cut and dry as you expected. You have to walk into that room fully prepared to argue for what you want and concede when necessary. Bring every bit of financial documentation relevant to the marriage that you have. Have some semblance of a plan before you begin, and always assume that your spouse has a plan of their own. Confide in your lawyer.
• Hire a Lawyer: One of the biggest mistakes you can make throughout your divorce is failing to hire a lawyer. This is true with the mediation process as well. You should hire a divorce mediation lawyer to look over the final divorce settlement once mediation has ended, if only to make sure you are not being taken advantage of. Don’t sign the settlement agreement until you’ve had your own legal counsel look over it.
• Be Open To Compromise: Approaching mediation with an aggressive demeanor and an unwillingness to compromise will not help anyone, including you. You also shouldn’t just sit quietly while your spouse dictates the terms of your divorce. You have to find a middle ground, and that’s called compromise. Be open to concessions when appropriate, but don’t be afraid to be vocal about what you expect to achieve from this process.

FAQs

When Shouldn’t You Consider Divorce Mediation?

While pursuing divorce mediation can be helpful in almost every situation, it’s recommended that you pursue solely litigation when there is a history of domestic abuse or a severe power imbalance between both parties. Sitting down and discussing the terms of your divorce is simply not possible if one spouse is actively hurting the other and continuing to do so. Hire a lawyer, consider a restraining order, and get divorced as quickly as possible.

What Is the Golden Rule of Divorce Mediation?

The golden rule of divorce mediation is to treat your spouse the way you want to be treated. At the end of the day, it’s important to be respectful and fair during mediation, especially if you hope to negotiate a decent settlement. This approach emphasizes good faith and puts you in a better position. The last thing you want is for the discussion to escalate into insults, name-calling, and generic arguing.

How Can I Avoid Financial Ruin in a Divorce?

The most reliable way to avoid financial ruin in divorce is by gathering all of your financial information and protecting yourself from financial manipulation. As soon as you decide to get divorced, you need to open a separate bank account, close any joint credit cards, and start meticulously detailing all expenses if you haven’t already been doing so. Make sure you consult with your lawyer about how much you can protect yourself while not illegally hiding assets.

Can My Spouse Cut Me Off Financially During Divorce Proceedings?

No, your spouse cannot legally cut you off financially during divorce proceedings in New Jersey. The court requires that the financial status quo remain unchanged until the divorce is finalized. You are still entitled to marital funds to cover your daily expenses and maintain your standard of living until the divorce is over. If your spouse is restricting your access to marital funds during divorce proceedings, contact a lawyer immediately.

Hire a Divorce Mediation Lawyer Soon

Protecting yourself is one of the most important things to remember during your divorce. Hiring the right lawyer can contribute to that protection, allowing you to develop a plan, work through the mediation process, and negotiate better terms. At Shore 2 Shore Mediation, LLC, we can help you determine the right course of action for your divorce. Contact us to speak to a member of our team.