Jersey City Mediation Services for Divorce and Family Law

Is Mediation Required for Divorce in New Jersey?
 

Mediation and arbitration are alternative dispute techniques that enable divorcing parties to avoid the time and expense of a divorce court battle. Many states now require some form of mediation to allow divorcing parties the opportunity to reach a settlement without court involvement.

New Jersey mandates mediation for divorcing couples. There are three different programs that are designed to help parties come to an agreement without going to court. The type of mediation required depends on the specific situation, such as whether there are children involved and if disputes exist regarding custody.

The Mediation Programs Available in New Jersey:

• Matrimonial Early Settlement Panel (MESP)– This program is designed to resolve disputes that revolve around the distribution of marital property. It is not used for custody issues.
• Parent Education Program (PEP)– When a divorcing couple has children, they are required to attend this program. The seminar is about three hours long and educates parents about the custody mediation process.
• Custody Mediation– After attending a PEP seminar, parents are scheduled for a custody mediation. During this process, the mediator will work with the parties to create a parenting plan that is agreeable to both parties.

You or your Jersey City mediation attorney can request further mediation to attempt to resolve issues that were not resolved in regards to marital property if you still think that the process could be beneficial. Our Jersey City mediation attorney can explain the options that are available to you.