Sometimes clients come to divorce mediation and they are in a hurry to move ahead. Their reasons vary. In some instances, one of the soon to be ex-spouses is moving or starting a new job. Other times, the parties want to resolve their financial issues within the tax year. Or maybe, they are just ready and want to get it done. Luckily, in many ways, the pace of mediation is up to the clients. Divorce mediation can go as slowly or as quickly as you would like.
At Westfield Mediation, LLC, we meet with clients for 4-6 one-hour sessions where we address parenting and child custody, the division of marital assets and liabilities, child support and spousal support (alimony). In most cases, clients meet every two weeks or so, and then file for divorce when the mediation process is complete. The lag-time between filing and the hearing with the judge who issues the divorce order can be two-three months. (Of course, this timeline may vary based on the calendar of your local county court). So, based on this timetable, we tell clients that for most people it takes 5-6 months from the beginning of divorce mediation through the end of the process. This estimate is significantly shorter than the 12-24 months it usually takes for a litigated divorce.
However, for clients with a tight deadline, things can move much more quickly. We can schedule longer mediation sessions closer together, finishing the process in one month instead of two. This is especially doable when both spouses work together well and focus on the paperwork and decision-making needed to move ahead. In addition, to expedite the divorce process, clients who intend to use divorce lawyers to review their proposed agreement and file their paperwork should line these attorneys up early. Finally, instead of waiting to file for divorce with the Court at the end of the mediation process, clients can file while also attending mediation, starting the clock at the Court.
By taking these kinds of proactive steps, clients who are trying to move ahead quickly can reap the benefits of divorce mediation while meeting their goal of a speedy separation plan.
For more information about 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
At Westfield Mediation, LLC, we meet with clients for 4-6 one-hour sessions where we address parenting and child custody, the division of marital assets and liabilities, child support and spousal support (alimony). In most cases, clients meet every two weeks or so, and then file for divorce when the mediation process is complete. The lag-time between filing and the hearing with the judge who issues the divorce order can be two-three months. (Of course, this timeline may vary based on the calendar of your local county court). So, based on this timetable, we tell clients that for most people it takes 5-6 months from the beginning of divorce mediation through the end of the process. This estimate is significantly shorter than the 12-24 months it usually takes for a litigated divorce.
However, for clients with a tight deadline, things can move much more quickly. We can schedule longer mediation sessions closer together, finishing the process in one month instead of two. This is especially doable when both spouses work together well and focus on the paperwork and decision-making needed to move ahead. In addition, to expedite the divorce process, clients who intend to use divorce lawyers to review their proposed agreement and file their paperwork should line these attorneys up early. Finally, instead of waiting to file for divorce with the Court at the end of the mediation process, clients can file while also attending mediation, starting the clock at the Court.
By taking these kinds of proactive steps, clients who are trying to move ahead quickly can reap the benefits of divorce mediation while meeting their goal of a speedy separation plan.
For more information about 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
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