Divorce in New Jersey can be costly, even for simple splits where there are no children and little property is involved. As couples accumulate wealth and have children, the bill increases, so how do you minimize the cost of ending a marriage? The answer is divorce mediation.
The cost of divorce mediation
The court pays for Court-ordered divorce mediation, but it usually has a limited duration. Private divorce mediation can run as little as $500, but realistically, you can expect to spend between $5,000 and $10,000 on the service with the cost split between you and your spouse. When you have a large amount of marital property to split, the cost will be higher. However, divorce mediation can save money and time in the long run.
Make the most of divorce mediation
Before entering into negotiations, make sure you are ready. About 80% of divorce cases are settled through mediation instead of going to court. You can do the following to prepare:
- Gather information
- Establish your interests
- Determine your priorities and anticipate your spouse’s priorities
- Consider concessions
- Be open to creative solutions
- Know the range of possible outcomes
Making the divorce process easier
Mediation can cover a variety of family law matters, including alimony, equitable distribution, child support, child custody and parenting time, prenuptial agreements and more. Working with an experienced mediator may help you save considerable time.
Mediation will provide you and your spouse with the opportunity to discuss and resolve important matters in a confidential setting with neutral parties. The end result is, hopefully, less animosity between you and your spouse along with a better environment for your children.