Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Economic Mediation in Family Law Cases

On This Page

Economic Mediation Program Overview

Contested divorce cases are first reviewed by an early settlement panel (ESP). This panel, made up of two experienced divorce attorneys, will recommend a settlement in the case. If the parties do not agree with the recommendation, and there are unresolved financial disputes after ESP review, the court may order them to participate in economic mediation. Economic mediation can help divorcing couples find common ground to divide shared property and determine support.

Economic mediation is a means of resolving financial issues with a trained, impartial third party. It is designed to facilitate settlements in an informal, non-adversarial environment. Mediators do not represent either party and do not offer legal advice. Parties are encouraged to retain their own attorney for the mediation process. If they do not have an attorney, they may choose someone else to accompany them in mediation.

Benefits of mediation include:

  • Confidential proceedings.
  • The opportunity for the parties to create their own, mutually acceptable agreement.
  • Allowing parties to take an active role in resolving their dispute.
  • Saving both parties time and money.

All mediators on the roster of Judiciary-approved mediators have completed 40 hours of mediation training. Mediators on the roster with a domestic violence designation completed training that qualifies them to conduct Domestic Violence Economic Mediation. Mediators are attorneys and other experienced professionals in the financial or mental health fields.

After the first two hours, the mediation costs are paid by the parties.

The first two hours of mediation are free. These two hours include the time it takes for the mediator to prepare for the first session and for the session itself. Travel time is not included in the first two hours and mediators are not allowed to charge for their travel.

During the mediation, the mediator will let you know when the two free hours have been reached. Either party can then choose to end the mediation. If the mediation goes beyond the free two hours, the court decides the amount each party will be responsible for to cover the mediator’s fee.

Economic Mediation and Final Restraining Orders

Generally, the law prohibits mediation when there is an active final restraining order between the parties. The Domestic Violence Economic Mediation Program allows mediation only if the protected party (the person with the restraining order) requests it. The protected party must consent to amending the final restraining order to allow mediation. The protected party may terminate the mediation process at any time and for any reason. 

The protected party must initiate the request for economic mediation.

The protected party must

  1. Read and understand the Frequently Asked Questions for Protected Parties 
  2. Meet with a domestic violence advocate or trained court staff; and
  3. Complete and file a certification which is a formal request to the court that the case be referred to economic mediation. It is also a request for the court to amend the Final Restraining Order to permit economic mediation. Filing the certification does not guarantee that the court will refer the case to the program.

After reviewing the certification and confirming that the protected party consents to economic mediation, the court will ask the other party if they agree to mediation. If they do not agree, they will be asked to provide an explanation. The court may still decide to refer the case to economic mediation.

If the court refers a case to economic mediation, both parties will work separately with court staff to agree on the selection of a mediator. If they are unable to agree, the court will assign one.

If there is a final restraining order, the parties will not be in the same room for mediation.

Domestic violence economic mediation takes place in a secure room at the courthouse where security is on site, or it may take place on-line using videoconferencing. Domestic violence economic mediation will not be conducted at the mediator’s office or any other location.

The mediator assigned to the case will use a process called “shuttle diplomacy” to facilitate the mediation. This means that each party will be in separate rooms the entire time, and the mediator will communicate with them separately. This eliminates direct communication between the parties. Similarly, if the mediation is conducted online, the parties will be in separate virtual meeting rooms and will not have any contact.

Only mediators who completed domestic violence mediation training are eligible to mediate cases where there is a restraining order between the parties.

The protected party can choose to end mediation at any time.

This program was created to give victims of domestic violence the same opportunity to resolve their case as litigants who do not have a restraining order. If the protected party does not feel comfortable about moving forward with economic mediation, they can let their attorney know. If they do not have an attorney, they can contact the court. This will not be held against them in any way.

The mediator cannot address other issues such as custody or parenting time.

This is prohibited by law and violates provisions of the Domestic Violence Economic Mediation program.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions for Protected Parties and Frequently Asked Questions for Non-Protected Parties for more details about the program.

Mediators must complete the Economic Mediation Results Form after the mediation session.     

Mediators for Economic Aspects of Family Law

Mediator Qualifications Hourly Rate
2216 Shore Road, The Dr. Peter Marvel House
Northfield, NJ 08225
Fax: (609) 641-6373
$280.00
Cipriano Law Offices, PC
175 Fairfield Ave Suite 4 C/D
West Caldwell, NJ 07006
Fax: (973) 403-8610
$375.00
Sharon Beskin Goodman, MSW, LCSW, LLC.
200 Maple Avenue
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Fax: (732) 842-2598
$200.00
Robert H. Goodwin, Attorney at Law
303 George Street, Suite 408
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Approved for DV Cases
$325.00
258 West Riverwoods Drive
New Hope, PA 18938
$350.00
Law Offices of Jonathan D. Gordon, Esq., LLC
310 Cedar Lane, Second Floor
Teaneck, NJ 07666
Fax: (201) 801-0074

A licensed psychologist and attorney practicing family law. I am a former Deputy Attorney General who presented DCP&P before entering matrimonial and family law practice. I have an interest in high conflict divorce and child custody/parenting time disputes. He has been appointed as a Parent Coordinator and Guardian ad litem and served as an ESP panelist in Hudson County.

$375.00
Grabelle & Staufenberg, LLC
1040 Broad Street, Suite 104
Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
Fax: (732) 741-9905
$400.00
Carluccio, Leone, Dimon, Doyle and Sacks, LLC
9 Robbins Street
Toms River, NJ 08753
Fax: (732) 505-6340

Former Ocean County Superior Assignment Judge Grasso retired on 7/1/15 just two weeks shy of 26 years of service to the NJ Judiciary. Judge Grasso handled all types during his ten years of service in the Family Part with six of those years as its Presiding Judge.

$450.00
Broderick, Newmark & Grather
20 South Street, Suite 3
Morristown, NJ 07960
Fax: (973) 538-2509
$400.00
2 Guy Court
Morristown, NJ 07960
Fax: (973) 267-3299
$250.00
Grayson and Associates, LLC
33 Bleeker Street, Suite 202
Millburn, NJ 07041
Fax: (973) 912-0540
$300.00
Destribats Campbell, LLC
247 Whitehorse Avenue
Hamilton, NJ 08610
Fax: (609) 585-9508

A graduat of Seton Hall University School of Law and in private practice for more than 10 years, Ms. Engan is a seasoned matrimonial attorney fully prepared to mediate all family part issues in litigation or an an alternative to further litigation. Ms. Engen is fluent in Spanish language and available for bilingual mediation sessions as well.

$250.00
Arthur L. Greenberg, C.S.W., P.A.
92 North Adamsville Road
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
$200.00
411 Pompton Avenue
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
Fax: (973) 857-9333
Approved for DV Cases
$350.00
130 Maple Avenue, Suite 3CB
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Fax: (732) 892-9033
$250.00
Weinberg, Kaplan & Smith, P.A.
8000 Sagemore Drive, Suite 8202
Marlton, NJ 08053
Fax: (856) 795-9469

My practice is limited to the areas of family law & estate matters but I have also practiced in Federal Bankruptcy Court. I am fluent in Spanish. I gained mediation experience in my role with the Camden County Partnership for Children. My primary mediation subject areas include: alimony, equitable distribution, child support, child custody & parenting time, adoption & other family related areas.

$275.00
14 Birchwood Drive
Short Hills, NJ 07078
Fax: (973) 467-0322
$250.00
Cowan, Gunteski & Co., P.A.
700 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753
Fax: (732) 349-1949
$225.00
411 Bloomfield Drive, Suite 5
West Berlin, NJ 08091
Fax: (856) 983-1711
$150.00
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C.
340 North Avenue
Cranford, NJ 07016
Fax: (908) 272-3219

I graduated from Rutgers University and Columbia Law School. I have been practicing continuously for the past 44 years, exclusively in Family Law. I have served on Union County's Early Settlement Arbitration Panel since its inception. I have also been asked to serve on the county's Blue Ribbon Settlement Panel. I have been engaged in several Economic Mediations and enjoy doing it.

Approved for DV Cases
$350.00

Become a Mediator

If you want to become a mediator, you need to apply. Current mediators can change or update their roster status.