Mediation and Living Together During and After Divorce

In today’s economy more than half of the clients we see at Equitable Mediation Services have homes that are worth less than they paid for them, making them “underwater” in value and so what was supposed to be their biggest asset has now become their biggest liability making them feel as if they can’t afford to get a divorce.  But did you know that by using divorce mediation in New Jersey you can work together to outline in detail how to handle even the most toxic of assets including an underwater house?  As a NJ divorce mediator I can tell you there is a common misconception among divorcing couples if one party moves out of the marital home, they relinquish all rights to it as an asset.  And while there may be certain extreme cases which this is true, it’s usually not and arrangements can be made on how to split the house even if one of you moves out.  But moving out is still expensive and could run you more than $1,000+ a month in New Jersey and given the financial pressures you already have is probably not something you want to spend.  That’s where divorce mediation comes in.

When you use a mediation service such as ours, we will help both of you devise a plan that outlines in detail what will happen to you and your assets during and after you divorce.  Have children?  No problem.  We’ll design a parenting plan that allows for each of you to have time with the children alone while the other parent is free to do as they wish even if you’re living together.  Can’t sell the home just yet as the market isn’t quite right?  We’ll help devise an equitable distribution plan that outlines what happens to the marital home during your divorce, after your divorce and in the out years when it’s value is still “underwater.”  Granted living together after you are divorced will be challenging but given that the divorce process itself can take upwards of three to six months, don’t you at least want to get started towards moving on with your new life, even if you hold an assets that might slow you down for just a little while?  Through mediation, you can outline all of the tenets of your divorce, create your plan and begin to live by it, making progress towards your ultimate separation as you go.  Plus, having a memorandum of understanding as to how you will both behave in the short run while you are getting divorced and still living together will cut down tremendously on the fighting and outline more clearly the division of responsibility each of you has during the divorce process.

If this sounds like 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.