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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
5 Cold Hill Road, Suite 9
Meadham, NJ 07945
Fax: (973) 543-2246

I have been a sole practioner since 1988 practicing extensively in family law. I completed mediation training several years ago and since then have participated in mediation as both a mediator and as an attorney. In addition, I have training in collaborative law and am a member of the NJ Collaborative Law Group. I am a member of the Vicinage XIII Family Law Inn of Court.

$325.00
Offit Kurman, P.A.
1801 Markit Street, Ten Penn Center, Suite 2300
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Fax: (267) 338-1335

I have over 12 years of experience in all aspects of family law, practicing exclusively in family law since 2006. I have clerked as a family law clerk. I have extensive experience in the negotiation of equitable distribution, assets, alimony, child support & have argued numerous matters by way of motions, plenary hearings & trials. I continue to dedicate my practice exclusively to all family law.

$375.00
Chamlin, Rosen, Uliano & Witherington, P. A.
268 Norwood Avenue
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Fax: (732) 571-8741
$275.00
Law Offices of Toby Solomon, LLC
5 Becker Farm Road
Roseland, NJ 07068
Fax: (973) 533-0466
$350.00
Brach Eichler LLC
101 Eisenhower Parkway
Roseland, NJ 07068
Fax: (973) 618-5527

As a seasoned litigator and Chair of the Family Law Practice at Brach Eichler LLC, I have resolved numerous disputes through arbitration, mediation, early settlement & blue-ribbon panels. I have negotiated many settlement agreements, marital separation agreements, prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements & have significant experience in alternative dispute resolution in various forums.

$475.00
Law and Mediation Office of Linda F. Spiegel, Esq.
79 Main St, Ste 1
HACKENSACK, NJ 07601
Fax: (201) 489-1021

I have been a practicing attorney for almost 40 years. I have mediated economic issues, prenuptial agreements, custody, full divorce mediation and post-divorce mediation issues including college choices & parenting time. I have represented clients in divorce, child abuse & child custody matters. I was a mediator for NJ Family Court in non-dissolution matters involving economic issues.

$375.00
Rozin Golinder Law LLC
197 Route 18 South, Suite 303N
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Fax: (732) 339-3933

I have served as a court appointed mediator for family law cases since Jan. 2007 having successfully assisted in settling the vase majority of them. By way of background, I am a Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney, Early Settlement & Blue Ribbon Panelist & member of the NJ Collaborative Alliance. I also arbitrate & mediate family law matters, serve as a guardian ad litem & as a parent coordinate

Qualified Mentor
$400.00
356 Franklin Avenue
Wyckoff, NJ 07481
Fax: (201) 891-1686
$325.00
250 Pehle Ave, Suite 401
saddlebrook, NJ 07663
Fax: (201) 489-1899
$350.00
Budd Larner, P.C.
150 John F. Kennedy Parkway, 3rd floor
Short Hills, NJ 07078
Fax: (973) 315-4510
Approved for DV Cases
$295.00
Starr & Starr, Attorneys at Law & Mediation Assoc
15 North Mill Street
Nyack, NY 10960
Fax: (845) 634-9604

I have been a mediator in private practice since 2000 and have successfully mediated over 1,000 divorces in NY and NJ.

$350.00
Zager Fuchs, PC
268 Broad Street, PO Box 489
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Fax: (732) 758-9068
$350.00
Bridget A. Stecher Law Office, LLC
3 Fairfield Avenue
West Caldwell, NJ 07006
Fax: (973) 364-1445
$295.00
712 East Main Street, Suite 1B
Moorestown, NJ 08057
Fax: (856) 642-0405
$250.00
281 Witherspoon Street
Princeton, NJ 08540
Fax: (609) 924-6171

In addition to practicing as a family law attorney for more than thirty years, I have arbitrated labor management disputes in the public and private sectors since 2000. I have successfully mediated divorce, foreclosure and insurance (Superstorm Sandy) cases.

$300.00
Law Office of Constance Kresge Stickle, LLC
21 Maple Tree Lane
Sparta, NJ 07871
Fax: (973) 726-8107
$350.00
Spear Wilderman
1040 North Kings Highway, Suite 202
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Fax: (856) 482-0343
$350.00
The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, PC
Eisenhowe Corporate Campus, 290 West Mount Pleasant Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039
Fax: (201) 710-7164
$250.00
3536 Route 66
Neptune, NJ 07753
Fax: (732) 922-4864
$375.00
Himber and Stork, PC
630 West Lacey Road
Forked River, NJ 08731
Fax: (609) 971-6070
$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.