There are times in life when everything seems to be going wrong. Money is tight, job stress is high, and your married life is a mess. When things like this happen, divorce is often the next step.
This post will cover all the essential information on divorce mediation in Long Island, New York so that you can make the best decision for your situation. Learn what is divorce mediation, how much will it cost to hire a good divorce mediator, the divorce mediation process, and more.
What is Divorce Mediation?
Divorce mediation is a process that can help couples who are going through a divorce to come to an agreement about their divorce settlement. Unlike divorce litigation or arbitration where a judge or an arbitrator makes the decisions, in mediation, the couple themselves make a deal and agree with their terms with the help of a mediator.
Divorce mediation works by the couple meeting with a mediator to discuss their divorce settlement and try to come to a marital settlement agreement. Marital property and other assets will be taken into account during mediation to help the couple come to a fair and equitable agreement.
When Can Divorce Mediation Be Used?
You and your other half can use divorce mediation at any stage in the divorce process or even after the divorce. Let’s go through each of these stages for an in-depth look.
Before Filing for Divorce
Some couples use mediation to try and avoid going through the divorce process altogether. Others used divorce mediation before filing for divorce to get an uncontested divorce.
A mediator can help solve minor issues so that the divorce does not have to be as contentious and stressful. By solving these issues before divorce papers are filed, the divorce process can be quicker and cheaper as you can proceed without hiring divorce lawyers.
During Divorce Proceedings
If you and your spouse have already filed for divorce, you can still use divorce mediation to come to an agreement about the divorce settlement. This can help to avoid going to trial, which can be costly and time-consuming.
This is also necessary if you want to make use of Long Island’s free court-connected divorce mediation program such as for custody and visitation issues.
After Divorce
Disputes often arise even after the divorce is finalized. If you have issues with child support, visitation, or alimony, divorce mediation can still be used to help resolve these issues. Divorce mediation can work out disagreements if one wants to change something in the divorce agreement.
Who is Best Suited for Mediation?
While one might think that divorce mediation is only for couples who are on good terms, this is not the case. Any couple going through a divorce can benefit from divorce mediation.
This is especially beneficial for families with high-conflict divorce or if there are custody issues. Litigation can often make these issues worse which makes high-conflict divorces benefit most from divorce mediation.
Divorce mediation can also be for parents that don’t want their children to catch up in the divorce. This type of mediation can help parents to work out child custody and visitation agreements without going to court. It reduces the tension and stress that can often be placed on the children in a divorce.
What are the Benefits of Using a Divorce Mediator?
With the unique benefits that divorce mediation offers, it’s hard to understand why everyone does not use this process. Here are some of the top benefits you can experience when using a divorce mediator.
Preserve Relationships
Having your own solutions to the divorce can help to preserve relationships between you, your spouse, and your children. This is especially beneficial if you have to co-parent after the divorce. You can avoid the anger, hurt, and resentment that often come with a high-conflict divorce.
Save Time and Money
Divorce mediation can help to save you time and money as you will not have to go to court for a trial. The typical cost of divorce mediation is a fraction of the cost of a litigated divorce. You will also be able to avoid the time-consuming process of going to court.
Achieve Overall Satisfaction
Since you are working together with your spouse to come up with the solutions, you are more likely to be satisfied with the outcome. You will not have to worry about the decisions being made by a judge who does not know you or your family. This can help to provide peace of mind during a difficult time.
What Is the Process of Divorce Mediation Like?
Initial mediation
The process of divorce mediation typically begins with an initial mediation session consultation. During the consultation, the mediator will explain the process and what to expect. They will also answer any questions you have about divorce mediation.
Schedule mediation sessions
These sessions are typically two to three hours long. The number of sessions will depend on the complexity of the divorce and the issues that need to be resolved.
During mediation, you and your spouse will meet with the mediator to discuss the issues in your divorce. The mediator will help you to communicate with each other and come up with solutions that work for both of you.
Preparation of MOU
Once you have reached an agreement, the mediator will prepare a Memorandum of Understanding. The MOU will outline the terms of the agreement and will be signed by both parties. The MOU is not legally binding but can be used to create a divorce settlement agreement or parenting plan.
Areas of Conflict in Divorce mediation
Divorce mediation covers a wide range of topics that can be beneficial for couples going through a divorce. The following are some of the most common areas of conflict that can be addressed in mediation.
- Child Custody and Parenting Plan
- Property Division
- Support that includes child support, spousal support, family support
How Much Does Divorce Mediation Cost in Long Island?
There are several factors that contribute to the cost of divorce mediation. The following are some of the most common factors that will affect the cost.
- Type of mediation (private, court-sponsored, community mediation)
- Length of mediation
- The complexity of the divorce
- Number of issues to be resolved
- Number of mediation sessions
The average cost of divorce mediation in Long Island ranges from $4,000 to $8,000. Whichever you choose, whether you are working with an individual mediator or a mediation service, you will end up paying a cost that depends on the factors mentioned above.
For hourly divorce mediation sessions, expect to pay at least $200/hour for an initial consultation cost of $60. A divorce lawyer on the other hand is likely to charge higher for a divorce mediation session and commonly charges a flat fee instead of an hourly rate.
Final Thoughts
In your most trying times, it is essential to choose what is best for you, your spouse, and your children. While divorce is never an easy decision, it does not have to be a lengthy, costly, and stressful process.
Divorce mediation can help to preserve relationships, save time and money, and achieve overall satisfaction. WIN-WIN Divorce Solutions offer divorce mediation services in Long Island as well as other parts of the US.
We understand the difficulty of going through a divorce and are here to help you every step of the way. Our team of neutral, professional mediators will help you to resolve the issues in your divorce so that you can move on with your life.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation!
