Even With Low Divorce Rates, Use Mediation in New Jersey

When it comes to divorce, the good news is that New Jersey has one of the lowest divorce rates in the nation.  With only 8.2% of the population being divorced (compared to the high of 14.2% for Nevada), NJ ranks next to last on the list with only North Dakota ranking lower at 8.1%.  And while some may see that as good news, it’s little consolation if you are divorced.  How you will feel about your divorce down the road can vary greatly and all depends on which of the three routes to divorce you choose to take:

1. Hiring lawyers and fighting it out or litigating with each of you taking opposing positions and entrenching for the long run while going broke financially and emotionally in the process; or
2. Hiring lawyers and fighting it out through the collaborative divorce process (don’t let the name fool you – there is nothing “collaborative” about hiring two lawyers) allowing two complete strangers to dictate the terms of your settlement; or
3. Hiring one caring and professionally trained NJ divorce mediator to help you work through your differences together in a peaceful and efficient manner.  As a divorce mediator in New Jersey, can you tell which option I would suggest?

One of the things we stress to our clients at Equitable Mediation Services is that you have a choice. This is your divorce so why should you leave something so important to someone else to get a result that will impact you for the rest of your life?  Someone you don’t really know and who doesn’t really know you?   Given that it’s your life and your divorce, wouldn’t you like to have a say in what goes on and what the end result will be?  Couples who choose the smarter way to divorce and use divorce mediation in NJ instead of hiring a lawyer and litigating or using the adversarial process of a collaborate divorce have much less animosity towards their partners down the road and at the end of the day come out with the exact same settlement they would have gotten using a more adversarial process without all the stress and expense.  And while the benefits of mediation are too numerous to mention here, isn’t getting the same or a better result for 1/10th the cost of a traditional divorce reason enough to learn more about divorce mediation?

We think so and hope you do too.

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 seven North or 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.