Issues to Resolve During Divorce & Family Law Mediation

Perhaps the greatest advantage of divorce mediation is the ability to address a vast array of issues and to develop creative solutions for solving them. There is no prototypical family and, thus, no one-size-fits-all solution. Mediation provides spouses with the ability to collaborate to develop the most suitable arrangements for their unique circumstances.

These innovative solutions can address a myriad of issues ranging from child custody, visitation, and parenting time to relationships with extended family members and religious concerns. Mediation can also facilitate discussion on alimony, division of assets, and complex property distribution involving business interests. The process is limited only by each participant’s imagination and willingness to compromise.

Key Issues Resolved During New Jersey Divorce Mediation

The following is a list of the issues most commonly resolved during divorce mediation in New Jersey. Your mediator will help you navigate your unique set of concerns and priorities.

1. Division of Assets and Debts

Financial issues can become highly contentious. Mediation significantly de-escalates the potential for conflict by allowing each party to voice their opinion and present their perspective. Key benefits of mediating financial issues include:

Simplified Process: Unlike formal court discovery, mediation allows parties to exchange valuable information in a time-efficient manner without formal rules of evidence.
Cost-Efficiency: The process is faster and more cost-effective for everyone involved.
Expert Integration: In complex cases, financial analysts, appraisers, and other experts can be called upon, and the cost of their assistance can be shared.

2. Alimony and Spousal Support

Alimony is often unpredictable because there are no hard-and-fast rules for determining arrangements. The goal is to allow both parties to maintain a lifestyle similar to the one enjoyed during the marriage. Factors such as employment, earning potential, and financial need are all considered. In New Jersey, different types of alimony include:

Pendente Lite: Temporary support during the divorce process.
Open Durational Alimony: Support with no set end date (typically for long-term marriages).
Limited Duration Alimony: Support for a specific timeframe.
Rehabilitative Alimony: Support while a spouse gains education or training.
Reimbursement Alimony: Compensation for a spouse who supported the other through advanced education.

Mediation provides an attractive alternative to the uncertainty of court proceedings, where judges have significant discretion. It allows you and your spouse to reach an amicable determination of the type, amount, and duration of payments.

3. Child Custody and Parenting Arrangements

The most sensitive discussions in mediation often involve parenting plans. Because you and your spouse have the most insight into your children’s lives, you can produce substantive strategies tailored to each child’s needs. Mediation helps parents communicate in a safe, open environment where agreements are entirely customizable. Parents can reach solutions regarding:

Religious affiliations and holiday celebrations.
Participation in extra-curricular activities.
Educational concerns and day-to-day upbringing.
Grandparent and extended family visitation.

Ultimately, you make the decisions about your child’s future.

What types of cases can be resolved through Mediation?

Contact our New Jersey Divorce Mediators for a Free Consultation

Townsend, Tomaio, Newmark & Clancy has helped thousands of clients across New Jersey resolve their specific divorce and family law matters. Our team includes attorneys from diverse backgrounds, many of whom have held positions within the New Jersey Family Court System or served on the Matrimonial Early Settlement Panel.

Our knowledge of the law and compassion for people allows us to focus on the people while structuring the process. For a cost-free consultation with one of our gifted mediators, contact our offices today: