Mediation for Child Custody & Child Support
Peacefully Creating Workable Child Custody and Child Support Provisions
Divorce mediation (or using a family law mediator) is a cooperative, not contentious, process — and one in which achieving peaceful solutions is paramount. When it comes to child-related divorce issues in New Jersey, mediation can be effectively used to create workable child custody and parenting time plans and develop agreeable child support provisions.
Entering mediation entails you and your spouse meeting with one of our neutral, third-party mediators. You can expect your mediator to use a step-by-step approach to gather information, balance communication, generate options, and help negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement.
In general, you will present your position (either in front of your spouse or in a private session with one of our mediators), and your spouse will be afforded the same opportunity. Our mediator will then help the both of you look at child support and/or custody arrangements from your child’s perspective, and will facilitate discussions regarding what could work best for all involved. Our mediators are highly trained in New Jersey family law so they are in the best position to guide the parties based on their courtroom experience and practical experience. At the end of the day, our mediator’s role is to help both parties come to a meeting of the minds and one that balances both party’s interests. Once the parties have come to an agreement the mediator will draft a memorandum of understanding that each party may bring to their attorneys to finalize. Because mediation is non-binding, neither party is required to accept any plan they find unacceptable.
Why New Jersey Divorce Mediation Can Work for Child Related Issues in Divorce
Unlike traditional divorce litigation, mediation removes parties from the tense atmosphere of a combative courtroom and redirects all that energy toward resolving their issues so they can get on with their lives. Especially when children are involved, emotions can quickly spiral out of control, complicating matters and causing unnecessary trauma to the couple’s offspring.
In instances where mediation is appropriate, however, we find that when parties come up with a parenting plan, or child support arrangement, they have jointly arrived at, it benefits the whole family and both parties are more likely to abide by the terms. This is not to say that all child custody and child support agreements should be handled by a mediator.
More than just Mediators
When you hire Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, LLC as your New Jersey divorce mediator, both parties will receive personal assistance in developing specific resolutions that address each of their family issues. Sensitive to the vulnerabilities this troubling time can create, your Weinberger family law mediator is a strong listener and creative problem solver, hoping to encourage positive attitudes from all participants. You can take comfort knowing that we will support you through the entire mediation process. This includes child support and child custody, but we can also assist with these other family law matters as well:
Contact a New Jersey Divorce Mediator
At Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, LLC, our divorce and matrimonial mediators can either be retained as the actual mediator in your family law matter or serve as independent counsel offering professional legal advice during the divorce mediation process. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the New Jersey divorce process, we cannot act as both personal lawyers and mediators in the same case.
