Over the last year, New Jersey has seen a spike in couples seeking alternate dispute resolution, such as mediation or arbitration, as opposed to a litigated divorce. This is in large part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, these types of divorce also come with several additional benefits as well. Please continue reading and speak with our New Jersey divorce attorneys to learn more. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Why alternate dispute resolution?
In many cases, spouses will choose alternate dispute resolution because they wish to settle their divorce outside of a high-stakes courtroom setting. Furthermore, the pandemic has caused couples to reconsider litigation to decrease their chances of contracting the virus in a courtroom full of people. Additionally, New Jersey has also recently experienced an increase in court closures, making formal divorce proceedings impractical, or impossible, at this time.
What is divorce mediation?
Essentially, when a couple hires a divorce mediator, they are hiring an unbiased third party whose goal is to facilitate a civil conversation between you and your spouse to help you both reach an agreement regarding the terms of your divorce. A mediator will listen to both of your desires, and from there, he or she will work to find a happy medium. In the end, if all goes as planned, both you and your spouse should leave feeling as though your voices were heard, making the outcome of your divorce far easier to accept than if it were simply decided by a judge in a courtroom setting. Furthermore, mediation, as well as arbitration, are generally less hostile and save spouses both time and money in the long run.
What is arbitration?
Arbitration is another form of alternate dispute resolution. Essentially, arbitration is a legally-binding process, meaning that once you and your spouse agree to participate, you will have to abide by the final determination. While arbitration is somewhat similar to a trial, as both you and your spouse will make opening statements and present evidence to the arbitrator, the arbitration process is generally far more efficient and less formal than going to trial. If you have any additional questions about alternate dispute resolution in New Jersey or you are ready to get started, give us a call today. We are here to help.
Contact our experienced Bergen County firm
At Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark, our attorneys have extensive experience helping clients to understand and protect their legal rights before, during, and after the divorce process in towns across New Jersey and Bergen County, including Hackensack, Ridgewood, Paramus, Teaneck, and Fort Lee. To speak with our team of divorce lawyers today in a free and confidential consultation regarding your concerns about your divorce, please contact us online, or through our Hackensack, NJ office at (201) 397-1750.
