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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
Lomurro, Munson, Corner, Brown & Schottland
4 Paragon Way, Suite 100
Freehold, NJ 07728
Fax: (732) 431-4043

I have practiced primarily matrimonial and family law for over 45 years. I have been a panelist for the Matrimonial Early Settlement Panel program in Monmouth County since 1989. I have served as a mediator in the Monmouth County Family Part intensive mediation programs and have also been appointed to several "Blue Ribbon" panels. I regularly take courses in continuing legal education.

$325.00
2273 Route 33, Suite 207
Hamilton, NJ 08690
Fax: (609) 587-0760
$250.00
Lyons & Associates, PC
161 Madison Avenue, Suite 345
Morristown, NJ 07960
Fax: (973) 455-1601

For many years, I have served on the Matrimonial ESP. After mediating many divorce cases outside the court system, I decided to serve as a Post-ESP Economic Mediator because I realize how important it is for divorcing couples to try to end the costly and protracted litigation process.

Approved for DV Cases
$400.00
34 Village Court
Hazlet, NJ 07730
Fax: (732) 888-3347
$325.00
Williams, Caliri, Miller & Otley, P.C.
1680 Route 23, Suite 425
Wayne, NJ 07470
Fax: (973) 694-0302

I devote a substantial portion of my practice to matrimonial matters. I am the former President of Passaic County Bar Association, being the first woman to serve in that office, am vice-chair of the Family Law Section. I am a member of the NJ State Bar Associaton, Morris County Bar Association and their respective family law sections.

$300.00
505 New Road
Somers Point, NJ 08244
Fax: (609) 601-1657
Sandor & Sandor, LLP
118 North Bedford Road
Mount Kisco, NY 10549
Fax: (914) 666-9602
$225.00
Sanvenero & Cittadino,LLC
228 Maple Ave
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Fax: (732) 743-9546
$450.00
Pescatore & Sauter, LLC
60 Court Street, Suite 3
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Fax: (201) 343-3346
$395.00
Cadicina Law, LLC
36 Cattano Avenue, Suite 600
Morristown, NJ 07960
Fax: (973) 843-6072
Approved for DV Cases
$400.00
Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland Perretti, LLP
One Speedwell Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07962
Fax: (973) 451-8757
$385.00
Chamin, Rosen, Uliano & Witherington
268 Norwood Avenue
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Fax: (732) 571-8741
$300.00
Debra F. Schneider, Esq.
411 Hackensack Ave, Suite 200
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Fax: (201) 445-0931

I have practiced law since 1978 specializing in divorce litigation, mediation and collaboration. I have been listed on this roster since its inception. I'm on the Early Settlement Panel in Bergen and have served on this panel for more than 10 years. I attend ICLE mediation (ADR) and family law courses every year. I have served as chairperson of the Bergen District Fee Arbitration Panel..

$300.00
Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group
83 South Street, Suite 201
Freehold, NJ 07728
Fax: (732) 414-2770
Email:Rick@wlg.com
$380.00
LM Schneider & Co., LLC
6 Becker Farm Road
Roseland, NJ 07068
Fax: (973) 597-0033
$250.00
Law Office of Robin Jill Schneider, Esq.
30 Freneau Avenue (Route 79), Suite 1A
Matawan, NJ 07747
Fax: (732) 583-3133
$400.00
29 Essex Street, PO Box 113
Millburn, NJ 07041
Fax: (973) 379-6126
$275.00
Newman, McDonough, Schofel & Giger, PC
101 Eisenhower Parkway
Roseland, NJ 07068
Fax: (973) 403-9293

I concentrate my practice in all aspects of family law. I am a trained family and divorce mediator, a trained collaborative divorce attorney and have been frequently appointed by the courts to be a Guardian ad litem and parenting coordinator. I have been selected to be included on the list of Super Lawyers for the past ten years.

Approved for DV Cases
$350.00
Guaglardi & Meliti, LLP
365 West Passaic Street, Suite 130
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
Fax: (201) 947-1010

I have experience in all aspects of family law, including dissolution, custody and parenting time, child support, relocation, spousal support, modification of support, post-judgment enforcement matters and multi-jurisdictional support, custody and enforcement matters. I am experienced in the negotiation and preparation of settlement agreements, as well as parenting time agreements.

$275.00
Sanns, LLC
PO Box 272
Franklin Park, NJ 08823
Fax: (732) 276-1977
$250.00

Become a Mediator

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