Morristown, New Jersey Mediation Attorneys 

Are you interested in mediation of all or some of the issues attendant upon your separation or divorce? Mr. Grather, a trained mediator, has found that a desire to "bury the hatchet" (in the ground) is why many couples are choosing mediation over litigation.   

A successful mediation can result in this:

Whereas, litigation, more often than not can result in this:

Mr. Grather is a trained mediator and experienced trial lawyer who is intimately familiar with the economic aspects of family law cases. In complex cases Mr. Grather works closely with experts in all fields related to the economic aspects of divorce such as real estate and business evaluators, pay program evaluators and forensic accountants familiar with the tax aspects of marriage dissolution.  Mr. Grather is:

• Certified as a Mediator in divorce matters by the Rutgers University Conflict Management program.

• A member of the New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators.

• A member of the Court Roster of Mediators for Economic Aspects of Family Law Cases in New Jersey.   

MEDIATION - THE PROCESS

Divorce mediation is a form of alternate dispute resolution and refers to a process in which divorcing spouses negotiate some or all of the issues (support, equitable distribution, custody, parenting time) with the aid of a neutral and trained third party (the mediator).  The mediator does not represent you or your spouse or both of you.

Some of the negotiating sessions may involve separate meetings between the mediator and each of the parties, but the emphasis tends to be on face-to-face sessions in which the parties deal with each other directly.  The mediator’s overarching objective is the establishment and maintenance of a cooperative, problem solving orientation between the spouses with the ultimate goal of reaching agreement (called a “memorandum of understanding”) between the parties on some or all of the issues negotiated.  The memorandum is then translated into a written document.  Mr. Grather, a trained mediator and experienced trial lawyer, can to help you obtain that goal.

MEDIATION - THE ADVANTAGES

Couples considering divorce should appreciate the following advantages of mediation as opposed to a litigated divorce:

• CONTROL.  Private mediation allows the parties the opportunity to immediately negotiate and control their own settlement.  Mediation discussions are set at the convenience of the parties making it easy to schedule around business, family or child responsibility.
• CONVENIENCE.  A private mediation can occur at any time the parties wish.  No divorce case need be pending.  In fact, in most instances, it is desirable to start mediation before suit is filed.  Once suit is filed the parties may still mediate but are also at the mercy of Court scheduling, required filings and Court appearances.  Court scheduled economic non binding arbitrations and mediations do not occur early in the process but only after a case has been on the trial list for many months.
• COST EFFECTIVE.  Mediation is much less expensive than litigation.  It avoids costly motions and other types of pre trial proceedings. All the time spent in mediation is devoted to your case alone and not “down” time waiting for the Court to deal with other cases.
• SPEEDY RESOLUTION.  Once a mediated settlement is reached, a divorce action can commence and be completed in a short period of time (usually weeks) as opposed to months and even years for a litigated case.

Contact Frank Grather if you are interested in mediation or advice as you go through the mediation process.