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Economic Mediation in Family Law Cases

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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
6 Highfield Road
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Fax: (973) 338-3955

In addition to actively practicing matrimonial law, I am on the US District Court arbitration panel.

$250.00
Nowell Amoroso Klein Bierman, P.A.
155 Polifly Road
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Fax: (201) 343-5181
$425.00
Villani & DeLuca, P.C.
703 Richmond Avenue
Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
Fax: (732) 892-9053
$450.00
Bielan, Miklos, Makrogiannis & Demeter, PC
420 Broadway
Bayonne, NJ 07002
Fax: (201) 436-0314
$275.00
De Michele & De Michele, P.C.
800 N. Kings Highway, Suite 503
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Fax: (856) 755-3669
$195.00
Dennigan Cahill Smith, LLC
12 Roszel Road, Suite C-205
Princeton, NJ 08540
Fax: (609) 919-1601

Experienced mediator with and expanding private mediation practice. Exclusive family law practice.

$395.00
Duane, Morris & Heckscher
51 Haddonfield Road, Suite 340
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Fax: (609) 488-7021
$255.00
Caruso Smith Picini, P.C.
60 Route 46 East
Fairfield, NJ 07004
Fax: (973) 667-1200
$200.00
DeTommaso Law Group
73 Grove Street
Somerville, NJ 08876
Fax: (908) 595-0343
Qualified Mentor
$350.00
Diamond & Diamond P. A.
830 Morris Turnpike, Suite 207
Short Hills, NJ 07078
Fax: (973) 379-9210

Certified Matrimonial Trial Attorney by the NJ Supreme Court, member of the AAML and an Accredited Divorce and Family Law Mediator authorized to handle economic mediation matters with active Domestic Violence restraining orders in place. Practicing Divorce & Family Law for the past 37 years and have been an accredited Divorce & Family Law mediator for the past 25 years.

Approved for DV Cases
$450.00
Patsyann DiGiacomo, Esquire
11 Park Avenue
Caldwell, NJ 070064901
Fax: (973) 228-9095

I have always incorporated mediation in my Family Law practice. I believe that clients should be able to decide their own futures and that of their children (in the limits of the law). I became a NJ attorney in 1985. During 1986 - 1999 I had worked for the indigent - first through Essex Newark Legal Services and then through Essex County Legal Aid Association.

Qualified Mentor
$200.00
Thomas H. Dilts, Esq.
55 North Gaston Avenue
Somerville, NJ 08876
Fax: (908) 725-7178
Approved for DV Cases
$400.00
Spector & Dimin, P.A.
25 Rockwood Place, Suite 325
Englewood, NJ 07631
Fax: (201) 567-8832
Approved for DV Cases
$350.00
Interstate FACTS, LLC
15 Warren Street, Suite 28-A
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Fax: (201) 488-5189

Ms. Dixon, MSW, LCSW, DABFC, FACFEI, is Executive Director and Founder of Interstate FACTS, LLC, providing forensic assessment, consultation/counseling training & supervision to legal systems consumers and professionals. She has 25 years experience with court involved clients and previously served as the NJ Judiciary's Statewide Drug Court Coordinator, providing training.

Approved for DV Cases
$300.00
Domers, Bonanassa & Hynes, P.C.
601 Route 73 North, 4 Greentree Center, Suite 105
Marlton, NJ 08053
Fax: (856) 596-8619
$300.00
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, P.C.
Court Plaza South, East Wing, 21 Main Street, Suite 200E
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Fax: (201) 488-5556

In-Person + Virtual Mediation Available. Jhanice is a Partner at Pashman Stein and member of the NJ Supreme Court Family Practice Committee, Arbitration Committee, FD&FV Sub-Committee and Domestic Violence Working Group. She is an experienced family law litigator, court-appointed/private mediator, and serves as an ESP panelist/economic mediator for various counties in north/south/central NJ.

$350.00
Helmer, Conley, Kassleman PA
600 Beverly Rancocas Road
Willingboro, NJ 08046

2009-2023 Retired Judge, Conferenced, managed, settled, and tried hundreds of cases as a full time and recall judge in Burlington County. He was in private practice from 1974-2009. He is counsel to the law firm Helmer, Conley, Kasselman, PA. He is excited to focus on the areas of family law for mediations.

$400.00
2 White Horse Pike
Haddon Heights, NJ 08035
Fax: (856) 854-2030
$300.00
Shimalla, Wechsler, Lepp & D'Onofrio, LLP
101 Town Center, Suite 117
Warren, NJ 07059
Fax: (908) 753-4189
$385.00
Charny Karpousis Altieri & Donoian PA
401 Route 73 North, Building 10, 10 Lake Executive Center, Suite 202
Marlton, NJ 08053
Fax: (856) 505-1710
$325.00

Become a Mediator

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