New Jersey Divorce and Family Mediation

If you are unhappy in your marriage and contemplating a divorce or are in a period of separation, it can be a scary time in your life.  There are many uncertainties….what about the kids…who gets the house and/or car…how will I be able to live…how does all of this work? With nearly half of all marriages ending in divorce, this volume of cases has created a large burden on the court system and the participants. A quicker and less expensive alternative to a court litigated divorce is available: Mediation.

Mediation is a process whereby an impartial third party — the mediator — leads the divorcing couple through the process of agreeing on the required areas — namely equitable distribution of assets and liabilities (such as your house or 401k), alimony/spousal support (if warranted), parenting and child support.  Mediation helps you get to answers.

Mediation also works for unmarried parents who need help with resolving parenting plans and child support issues.

Sanns Mediation Services is the private practice of in-demand NJ-based professional mediator and arbitrator Marvin Schuldiner.  Sanns Mediation Services gives a free telephone consultation to all divorce mediation clients.This will allow you to assess the mediator and have any questions about the mediation process answered.

Mediations are now available over video conferencing (Zoom) from the comfort of your home.

To learn more about divorce and divorce mediation in New Jersey, you can review on this website:

  • The Sanns NJ Divorce Mediation Guide
  • Helpful articles and book recommendations on divorce, mediation, family and parenting (see the menu on the left in the footer)
  • The mediation and ADR Blog, which updates the latest on law changes and other news
  • Other resources (NJ laws and criteria on divorce, custody, child support, visitation and alimony)
  • Or feel free to contact me with further questions or to get started

Post Judgment Mediation

Mediation can be used after a final judgment of divorce has been entered by the court. Parenting plans, child support — including child support guideline recalculations — and (sometimes) alimony need periodic adjustments as circumstances change over time.  A 6-year-old child will have far different needs and costs than a 13-year-old child.  Other disagreements may arise on interpreting prior agreements.  Consider mediation for these adjustments even if you did not mediate your divorce or prior adjustments.

Prenuptial Agreements

Many people who are marrying want to protect their rights in case things do not work as planned. Negotiating a prenuptial agreement presents challenges as there is little animosity before marriage and most couples think the current state of cooperation will continue even should the marriage not work out.  A mediator can be helpful in reframing how the couple views disagreement and help guide them to an agreement.

Mediation Quick Facts:

  • A mediated divorce often costs less than 1/3rd of a litigated divorce
  • Mediation can finalize a divorce in much less time than litigation -- months versus years
  • You lose none of your rights by mediating
  • Mediation is confidential
  • Make decisions about your future for yourself
  • Parties are more satisfied with terms they agree to in mediation than terms imposed by a court
  • Agreements obtained through mediation are far less likely to end up back in court
  • Mediation is a forward-looking process (where do you go from here)
  • Mediation can be used to resolve many types of disputes, including the dissolutions of gay and lesbian (same-sex) relationships, civil unions, domestic partnerships and commercial and community disputes
  • Mediation allows you to get on with your life more quickly