Should you meet with an attorney first or not at all if you want to do mediation? These are not the only options and it is up to you how you want to proceed. Consulting with an attorney does not prevent you from participating in divorce mediation. At Westfield Mediation, LLC, we always recommend to our clients to consult with a divorce attorney before finalizing their divorce, so each person is aware of their legal rights. But in reality, you do not have to use attorneys at all, if you so choose, to get divorced in New Jersey. It is not legally required to do so.
So, is divorce mediation the first move you make when you want to get a divorce? We find that most people had not even heard of mediation before hearing about it from a friend, finding out about it online, etc. Sometimes people confuse it with meditation, because of the similar spelling. But, we also find that most people are super relieved after they have found mediation. Divorce mediation offers a much faster, less stressful, more economical and amicable divorce process. You still address all of the same issues you would if using only attorneys. You are not missing out or skimping on quality because it is costing you $3,000 instead of $30,000 to get divorced. Directly communicating with your spouse with a neutral mediator present allows you to cover all of the issues in a much faster way. This saves you both a lot of time which helps you both save a lot of money.
The attorneys are there to do their important part as well. They can advise you of your legal rights and help you complete the paperwork for court. We have found that the retainer fee for review attorneys, divorce attorneys acting in a more limited role because you are using divorce mediation services, will be reduced. And you can choose to see an attorney first and then begin mediation or vice-versa. It is up to you how you want to proceed. We just hope you have found mediation and include it as a major step in your divorce process and help spread the word to others as well.
For more information on divorce and divorce mediation, please contact Randi M. Albert, JD, or Michelle Weinberg, M.Ed., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, at Westfield Mediation, LLC at 908.913.0373. View our website at www.westfieldnjmediation.com or email us at info@westfieldnjmediation.com.
So, is divorce mediation the first move you make when you want to get a divorce? We find that most people had not even heard of mediation before hearing about it from a friend, finding out about it online, etc. Sometimes people confuse it with meditation, because of the similar spelling. But, we also find that most people are super relieved after they have found mediation. Divorce mediation offers a much faster, less stressful, more economical and amicable divorce process. You still address all of the same issues you would if using only attorneys. You are not missing out or skimping on quality because it is costing you $3,000 instead of $30,000 to get divorced. Directly communicating with your spouse with a neutral mediator present allows you to cover all of the issues in a much faster way. This saves you both a lot of time which helps you both save a lot of money.
The attorneys are there to do their important part as well. They can advise you of your legal rights and help you complete the paperwork for court. We have found that the retainer fee for review attorneys, divorce attorneys acting in a more limited role because you are using divorce mediation services, will be reduced. And you can choose to see an attorney first and then begin mediation or vice-versa. It is up to you how you want to proceed. We just hope you have found mediation and include it as a major step in your divorce process and help spread the word to others as well.
For more information on divorce and divorce mediation, please contact Randi M. Albert, JD, or Michelle Weinberg, M.Ed., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, at Westfield Mediation, LLC at 908.913.0373. View our website at www.westfieldnjmediation.com or email us at info@westfieldnjmediation.com.