If you have a contested family action in New Jersey and there are issues as to custody, support, alimony or equitable distribution, you will need to complete a Case Information Statement. The Case Information Statement, known as a CIS, must be filed with a Complaint or within 20 days of the filing of an Answer [...]

An experienced mediator is aware of the spousal dynamic, and employs special techniques to address any power imbalances. If one spouse continually overpowers the other and dominates, the mediator will put an end to the mediation session. An exception is that sometimes, mediators cannot be aware of power struggles that take place outside of the [...]

This statement is completely false.  In Truth, women often express themselves more in mediation than they can in divorce court, because the process of mediation allows different outcomes than what is standard in separations in the court. Also, except for court-ordered mediation, a woman has the ability to stop the mediation until they come to [...]

When divorcing, the process always takes some time on both parts of the couple in question, whether it is through divorce or mediation. Mediation offers a streamlined alternative to the drawn-out process of using the courts to divorce—it allows couples to finish the divorce at their own pace.

In actuality, mediation allows spouses to speak for themselves and what they want out of the divorce. Unlike going to court, they do not have lawyers speaking for them and telling them what to do. Because of this process, people who mediate develop stronger communication skills and self confidence.  They also have a higher satisfaction [...]

The beauty of mediation is that is is almost always faster than litigating a divorce.  Oftentimes, the process of both spouses hiring lawyers and setting dates and meetings alone will take longer than an entire mediation. At Petrelli Law, mediation can be complete in anywhere from one to four sessions.

The best mediations take place in attorney offices.  This is because lawyers understand mediation as well as legal rights.  They can help mediating spouses by informing them of their legal rights and options and by coming up with agreeable and reasonable settlement ideas. The attorney can also then prepare the necessary divorce paperwork once an [...]

Mediation works for many divorcing couples, but not for some.  Mediation works best for spouses who are able to speak up for what’s important to them, and can maturely handle themselves during the process.  For some couples, mediation may not offer enough structure and guidance. Couples with a history of domestic violence or verbal abuse [...]