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What to Know About Divorce Mediation in the State of New Jersey
If you believe it is time to file for divorce, you most likely have several questions regarding the divorce process. Divorce can be overwhelming, so it is important that you learn what you can and hire an experienced attorney before jumping in. If you are considering getting a divorce, here are some of the questions you may have:
What are the benefits of going through the mediation process?
In recent years, mediated divorce has become increasingly popular for several reasons. Perhaps most significantly, it generally helps minimize the emotional aspect of your divorce. If you and your spouse choose to enter the litigation process because you are unable to agree on the terms of your divorce, it often turns into a nastier battle in a courtroom setting. By hiring a mediator, or a neutral third party, you and your spouse seek to settle your disputes outside of the courtroom setting and in a formal manner. A third-party mediator will hear what you and your spouse have to say regarding the terms of your divorce, and the mediator will seek to compromise and work out a deal that satisfies you both. Not only does meditation have a reputation for diffusing some of the emotional tension that very often comes along with the divorce process, but it may also save you and your spouse a lot of money. The litigation process is emotional, but it is also very costly. It is very important you keep this in mind if you are seeking a divorce and cannot work matters out on your own.
What documentation will I need?
In order to begin the mediation process, both your and your spouse must provide the mediator with the necessary information, such as: past tax returns, financial disclosure forms, account statements from financial, retirement or debt accounts, copies of the pleading filed with the court, present and future budgets, and any other proposed agreements or stipulations on the various issues at hand.
What does the mediation process look like?
After you have provided the above information, both you and your spouse will meet with the mediator. He or she will then begin analysis and try to identify resolutions to the disputed issues. You may have these meetings with everyone together or separate and in different rooms. After all your disputes are resolved, your mediator will prepare a Memorandum of Understanding. This is an unbinding agreement that represents a resolution of the issues in the mediation. From here, you will obtain a formal divorce judgment, which will turn your mediation agreement into a binding divorce.
Contact our New Jersey firm
Matters of divorce and family law require the attention and skill of an experienced attorney who will fight for your future. If you need a divorce and family law attorney in Ocean County, New Jersey, contact the Law Office of Sarina Gianna, LLC today to schedule a consultation.