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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
Ansell, Grimm, Aaron, PC
1500 Lawrence Ave
Ocean, NJ 07712
Fax: (732) 922-6161
Approved for DV Cases
$350.00
94 Agress Road
Perrineville, NJ 08535
Fax: (609) 259-2451
$275.00
Jack L. Wigler, C.P.A.
2 Claridge Drive, Suite 1HE
Verona, NJ 07044
Fax: (973) 239-0529
$250.00
Fecak & Williams, P.C.
101 Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 300
Roseland, NJ 07068
Fax: (973) 488-7153
$275.00
PO Box 86
Hopewell, NJ 08525
Fax: (609) 466-7890

Retired Superior Court Judge having served in all 3 divisions. 8 years experience as a mediator and arbitrator. Professor of Dispute Resolution.

$390.00
Wilson Family Law, LLC
667 Shunpike Road, Suite 1A
Chatham, NJ 07928
Fax: (973) 378-0603
$385.00
Law Offices of Marcella Matos Wilson, LLC
271 Route 46 West, Suite D 103
Fairfield, NJ 07004
Fax: (973) 244-0063
$325.00
62 Summit Avenue
Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
Fax: (973) 831-4240
$150.00
Marcum Rosenfarb, LLC
4000 Route 66
Tinton Falls, NJ 07753
$435.00
Keith, Winters & Wenning
Main Street & LaReine Avenue, PO Box 188
Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
Fax: (732) 774-6183
$325.00
Wolman Mediaton Group. LLC
151 West Passaic Street, Suite 6
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662

For over 20 years , I have helped restore peace in contentious battles, even under the most challenging conditions. Clients call me "the mediator that can save relationships" because i foster sustainable compromise, productive communication, & most importantly, true insight into what is fair. I understand the emotional and economic dynamics experienced by the families.

Approved for DV Cases
$225.00
Wade, Long, Wood & Kennedy, LLC
1250 Chews Landing Road
Laurel Springs, NJ 08021
Fax: (856) 346-1910
$225.00
Kratosa Divorce Advisors, LLC
PO Box 710
Gladstone, NJ 07934

Financial Neutral and Family/Divorce Mediator

$275.00
Lyons & Associates, PC
76 East Main Street, 2nd Floor
Somerville, NJ 08876
Fax: (908) 515-7711

I have been practicing both custody and economic mediation since 1998 and have extensive experience with clients in financial distress. I strive to make the divorce process as stress free as possible so as to assist people in moving on with their lives.

Approved for DV Cases
$355.00
Dughi, Hewitt & Domalweski, P.C.
340 North Avenue
Cranford, NJ 07016
Fax: (908) 272-3219
$350.00
BohZac Law, LLC
1527 Forest Grove Road
Vineland, NJ 08360
Fax: (856) 205-4647

Mediation is offered in-person or remotely. Spanish language interpreter is available. A comprehensive settlement agreement, Consent Order or Judgment is drafted and finalized upon successful completion. Typical flat fee charge for drafting and finalizing a Matrimonial/Divorce Settlement Agreement is $1,000.

$250.00
Treuhaft & Zakarin, LLP
411 Hackensack Ave, 2nd Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Fax: (646) 924-0554
$550.00
Paone, Zaleski & Murphy
146 Green Street, PO Box 249
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Fax: (732) 750-4398

Mr. Zaleski has been practicing law since 1988. His practice focuses on all areas related to divorce and family matters, including but not limited to custody issues, alimony, child support, division of assets and domestic violence. A substantial portion of his practice is also devoted to mediation.

$350.00
Marianne Zembryski, LLC
67 Walnut Avenue, Suite 109
Clark, NJ 07066
Fax: (732) 340-1816
$350.00
6809 Bergenline Avenue
Guttenberg, NJ 07093
Fax: (201) 210-4573
$225.00

Become a Mediator

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