NORTH SHORE DIVORCE
MEDIATIONS & FAMILY LAW, LLC
GET A BETTER DIVORCE SETTLEMENT
BY GETTING A BETTER DIVORCE
DIVORCE MEDIATION IS SHORT-TERM
North Shore Divorce Mediation & Family Law
is Laser-focused on
Getting You Divorced
as Soon as Possible.
(See FAQs for a more detailed timeline comparison between mediating and litigating a divorce.)
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DIVORCE MEDIATION IS CONFIDENTIAL
If protecting your privacy is important, mediating divorce helps keep sensitive personal (including financial information) private.
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(See FAQs for a more detailed privacy comparison between mediating and litigating a divorce.)
DIVORCE MEDIATION IS LESS EXPENSIVE
Divorcing couples need to preserve their assets to start their new chapter on the best possible financial footing.
Mediating will help safeguard your hard-earned assets.
(See FAQs for a more detailed cost comparison between mediating and litigating a divorce.)
DIVORCE MEDIATION
FAQS
WHICH IS QUICKER? MEDIATING OR LITIGATING DIVORCE?
Because divorce mediation is designed to be laser-focused on specific issues like divvying up assets, support, and parenting plans, it is designed to be short-term, typically two to three two-hour sessions.
On the other hand, litigating a divorce takes anywhere from 18 months to as long as a decade,
depending on how the litigation goes.
WHICH COSTS MORE? MEDIATING OR LITIGATING DIVORCE?
In almost all cases, mediating a divorce saves a lot of time and money over litigation. A mediated divorce typically ranges from $3,000 to $9,000. On the other hand, a litigated divorce can range from $25,000 to $70,000 +.
When a litigated divorce goes to trial, it can easily range from $75,000 +.
HOW DOES PAYMENT WORK?
We do not charge retainers to mediate your divorce. Instead, we provide you with an upfront schedule of fees, so you plan for your costs in advance.
Our Collaborative Divorce Consultations are not free.
The Consultation Fee Comes Off Your First Mediation Session.
Schedule yours here -> https://www.northshoremediations.com/
WHAT ROLES DO ATTORNEYS PLAY IN DIVORCE MEDIATION?
Attorneys play two limited but required roles in divorce mediation:
1) At North Shore Divorce Mediations & Family Law, a licensed family law attorney trained at
Harvard Law School and Northwestern Will Negotiate Your Legal Settlement Agreement; and
2) You Will Be Referred to A Collaborative Attorney to Take You to Court and Finish the Divorce.
IS DIVORCE MEDIATION LIKE MARRIAGE THERAPY?
No. Divorce mediation is not therapy. Divorce mediation is intended to be laser-focused on the legal decisions that must be set forth in order for a court to grant your divorce.
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TOP 5 REASONS PEOPLE MEDIATE
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1. Avoid costly litigation.
2. Focus on your children’s best interests and minimize conflict.
3. Preserve and encourage healthy family relationships.
4. Keep intimate settlement details (including financial details), private.
5. Preserve assets.
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WHAT IS THE "JUDGE JUDY" NOTION?
Because there is so much reality television and courtroom drama, the "Judge Judy" notion is common.
I want my"day in court" to air all my grievances with this dirty rotten scoundrel.
The Judge will hear me and be so outraged,
they'll give me everything."
Nope.
That's never going to happen.
Some Judges have dockets of 1,400 + cases, so they don't stand for any form of "Judge Judy" behavior.
In fact, Your Judge will very much appreciate it when you come in with a legally compliant divorce settlement.
Be aware.
"Old-school" litigation divorce attorneys love to lean into the "Judge Judy" factor.
Why?
Because it can significantly increase the fees they bill and the fees you pay.
Please don't let yourself get caught up in the "Judge Judy" factor.
Thank us later.
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WHAT IF I WANT TO MEDIATE THE DIVORCE, BUT MY SPOUSE DOESN'T?
Divorce mediation is a completely voluntary process.
Both parties must agree to mediate and refrain from litigation during the process.
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WHAT IF AN "OLD SCHOOL" LITIGATION DIVORCE ATTORNEY TOLD ME NOT TO MEDIATE?
In some cases, mediation is not appropriate.
Mediation may not be appropriate if there is a pattern of domestic violence, substance abuse, or physical or mental impairments that interfere with that person's ability to understand, participate, and advocate on their own behalf.
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Absent such concerns, divorce mediation is always an option.
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WHAT ARE SOME OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING WHETHER TO MEDIATE OR LITIGATE A DIVORCE?
Too often, people focus on what they believe they might win from litigation, and not what they'll lose.
Money aside, extended litigation is stressful. It will exact a toll on both your psychological and physical health. Mediating with North Shore Divorce Mediations & Family Law helps you move forward with a fair settlement in the least evasive way.
Since mediated agreements are only finalized when both parties agree, people report higher rates of satisfaction than court-imposed rulings.
Mediated divorces have the highest rates of compliance because most people honor the agreement they forged.
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WHY DOES MEDIATING DIVORCE SAFEGUARD MY PERSONAL INFORMATION & PRIVACY?
Mediating your divorce keeps your personal information (including financial information) private.
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On the other hand, if you litigate your divorce, all the documents filed by your attorney will become public records.
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WHY SHOULD I MAKE SURE MY DIVORCE MEDIATION IS ONLY CONDUCTED BY A LICENSED DIVORCE ATTORNEY?
Divorce is a Complex Legal Process.
People Holding Themselves Out as "Non-Attorney Divorce Mediators" are Engaging in the Unauthorized Practice of Law.
They Often Take a One-Week Course on Mediation, then Hold Themselves Out as
Family and Divorce Law Experts.
You Will Not Save Money Because Most Charge the Same or More
than Licensed Family and Divorce Law Attorneys.
North Shore Divorce Mediations & Family Law,
Attorneys are Expert Divorce and Family Law Attorneys
Trained in Advanced Mediation at
Harvard School of Law.
IF I USE MEDIATION, WILL I NEED TO GO TO COURT TO LEGALLY END THE MARRIAGE?
Yes. To get the Divorce Decree (the legal document that says you are officially divorced), a second collaborative attorney will file your mediated settlement agreement and take you to court to finalize it.
WILL MY SETTLEMENT BE LESS IF I MEDIATE MY DIVORCE INSTEAD OF LITIGATING MY DIVORCE?
No. The open secret among litigation divorce attorneys is that the goalposts for divorce settlements are set statutorily and there is little litigation can do to change or alter your settlement outside those statutes.
FLAT-FEES AVAILABLE FOR
UNCONTESTED DIVORCES with NO CHILDREN and NO SHARED ASSETS
It is Always More Prudent to Know What Your Divorce Will Cost Upfront.
WHY NORTH SHORE DIVORCE THIS LAW FIRM
A BETTER LEGAL BUSINESS MODEL?
North Shore Divorce is a better law firm business model because we move couples through the divorce process expeditiously and explain details of your cost up-front.
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Other attorneys, particularly litigation attorneys, get you in the door with a modest retainer; and, that retainer has no bearing on what your divorce will end up costing.
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NSM makes available the information and materials on this site for general informational purposes only. Nothing on this site is intended to create or solicit an attorney-client relationship, and nothing posted constitutes legal advice or the solicitation for a formation of an attorney-client relationship. Neither the transmission of the information contained on this site nor your use of the information for communication with NSM is sufficient to create an attorney-client relationship between you and NSM. NSM cannot agree to be retained as a mediator until a screening and consultation is completed with both parties to a prospective mediation, and a written Agreement to Mediate and fee agreement, provided by NSM, is signed by both parties to a mediation and, a NSM attorney. NSM assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on this site and disclaims all liability with respect to such information.
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