Don’t Have Time to Divorce? Try Mediation.

As a divorce mediator in New Jersey I can tell you that the last place most people want to be is sitting across from me discussing their divorce and well, I don’t take it personally because quite frankly I wouldn’t want to be here either.  So it always fascinates me when I read a story about people splashing their divorce all over the front pages of the headlines or dragging their soon to be ex-spouse through divorce court.  Whenever I see this I think to myself  “do they really enjoy the divorce process?  Are they getting so much happiness and satisfaction out of their divorce that they want to keep it going for as long as possible?”  I also think they must be independently wealthy since from what I’ve read in the Wall Street Journal divorce isn’t cheap.  On average $78,000 “not cheap.”   But above all of that I think “do these people really have all this time in the world to do nothing but go to court, speak with the lawyers, fill out paperwork, etc.?’ Don’t they have anything better to do?

Well if you’re like me, you’d probably rather be doing pretty much anything expect going through a divorce and so allow me to tell you all about divorce mediation.  Don’t have time you say?  Well then, please visit our website when you have the chance and I’ll let you go on your way…  Still with me?  Good.  While I won’t get into all the details in just this post as I would rather have you both come in for a free consultation, suffice to say you can work through all of your issues in as little as four sessions, have an agreement in hand and be on your way in a matter or weeks rather than the months or years that is typical with attorney-driven divorces.

Why argue when you know what each of you wants and all you need is someone to help you draft it all out into a Memorandum of Understanding?  Why spend countless hours on the phone with your attorney arguing over matters that are unimportant in the scheme of things and taking up your valuable time in the process?  With mediation we respect your time and realize that being with us is the last place you want to be so we use our time in session to ask the questions and have the conversations that will allow us to put together your agreements while you’re back in your life – not sitting in front of us.  We give you drafts as we go so you can review your progress as we are making it, allowing you to understand your decisions and how they build on each other not to mention giving you time to reflect on matters that will have a great impact on each of you for the rest of your lives.  Nothing like making a hurry-up decision under pressure only to think to yourself a day later “why did I agree to that?!”  But let me make one last point perfectly clear: mediation is not a rush, rush type of experience either.  Because mediation is a more streamlined and collaborate process than litigation it more efficient and therefore cost-effective.  Same results as using attorneys without all the stress, time and expense.

Want to know more?  If you have any questions about divorce mediation or how mediation can benefit you, please feel free to contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation in one of our six central New Jersey office locations where we will take some time to get to know more about you and your situation and see if mediation is right for you.  Of if you’re simply not ready yet, feel free to visit the Equitable Mediation Services website where you’ll find lots of great information about parenting plans, equitable distribution, NJ child support and spousal support / alimony and contact us when you’re ready.  We look forward to helping you get through your divorce peacefully, efficiently and with as little stress on you and your family as possible.