What if in Kramer vs. Kramer or Marriage Story the divorce was put on hold because there was no judge available to make a decision about the case? Well, that is what is happening in some counties in New Jersey. Due to judicial vacancies, judges that were once available to hear contested divorces are now being pulled off your divorce case to work on criminal cases. You can read Chief Justice Stuart Rabner’s statement. This went into effect February 21, 2023. It effects Vicinage 13 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren counties) and Vicinage 15 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties). Chief Justice Rabner warns that other vicinages may face the same fate in the near future.
So what can you do if you want to get a divorce in 2023 or the first half of 2024? The good news is that uncontested divorces are still being processed in a somewhat timely manner. An uncontested divorce is when you do not need the judge to decide on any topic covered in your divorce agreement. You have figured out a parenting plan (child custody, holidays, child support, etc.), division of marital assets and debts (what is happening with the house, retirement accounts, bank accounts, credit card debt, etc.) and spousal support/alimony (how much and for how long). You submit all of your paperwork to court, it gets processed, and then you appear/Zoom before the judge one time to get your final judgement of divorce granted by the judge. Sometimes, you don’t even need to appear before the judge, just complete the paperwork, for the courts to finalize your divorce.
But how do you get from where you are now to an uncontested divorce? Two words….Divorce Mediation. In divorce mediation at Westfield Mediation, LLC, both spouses meet together with a neutral, impartial, trained mediator who helps them come to a mutually acceptable agreement about all issues in their divorce. Divorcing couples make decisions for themselves by directly communicating with one another, instead of waiting until next year or beyond for a judge to make these decisions for you. The parties can keep control over their own divorce process and meet according to their time table, instead of waiting for a judge to be ready to see them. Mediation costs so much less than going to court to litigate. No retainer is required. You pay-as-you-go. It is a more affordable divorce with a lot less drama than a public trial. Mediation is private and confidential.
Movies make it seem like trials happen all the time. In the real world, only about 2% of all divorces in New Jersey are finalized through a trial. Some people think they are going to trial and spend a lot of time and money preparing to go to trial, only to end up settling before the trial is completed. 98% of the people getting a divorce- settle. So, if you are part of this very large majority and probably will settle at some point in the process, you can start from the beginning with this knowledge and mindset and effectively use divorce mediation services. The most economical and fastest way to get your uncontested divorce finalized is by using a divorce mediator.
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 [email protected].
So what can you do if you want to get a divorce in 2023 or the first half of 2024? The good news is that uncontested divorces are still being processed in a somewhat timely manner. An uncontested divorce is when you do not need the judge to decide on any topic covered in your divorce agreement. You have figured out a parenting plan (child custody, holidays, child support, etc.), division of marital assets and debts (what is happening with the house, retirement accounts, bank accounts, credit card debt, etc.) and spousal support/alimony (how much and for how long). You submit all of your paperwork to court, it gets processed, and then you appear/Zoom before the judge one time to get your final judgement of divorce granted by the judge. Sometimes, you don’t even need to appear before the judge, just complete the paperwork, for the courts to finalize your divorce.
But how do you get from where you are now to an uncontested divorce? Two words….Divorce Mediation. In divorce mediation at Westfield Mediation, LLC, both spouses meet together with a neutral, impartial, trained mediator who helps them come to a mutually acceptable agreement about all issues in their divorce. Divorcing couples make decisions for themselves by directly communicating with one another, instead of waiting until next year or beyond for a judge to make these decisions for you. The parties can keep control over their own divorce process and meet according to their time table, instead of waiting for a judge to be ready to see them. Mediation costs so much less than going to court to litigate. No retainer is required. You pay-as-you-go. It is a more affordable divorce with a lot less drama than a public trial. Mediation is private and confidential.
Movies make it seem like trials happen all the time. In the real world, only about 2% of all divorces in New Jersey are finalized through a trial. Some people think they are going to trial and spend a lot of time and money preparing to go to trial, only to end up settling before the trial is completed. 98% of the people getting a divorce- settle. So, if you are part of this very large majority and probably will settle at some point in the process, you can start from the beginning with this knowledge and mindset and effectively use divorce mediation services. The most economical and fastest way to get your uncontested divorce finalized is by using a divorce mediator.
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 [email protected].
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