NORTH SHORE COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE MEDIATIONS
& FAMILY LAW, LLC
GET A BETTER DIVORCE SETTLEMENT
BY GETTING A BETTER DIVORCE
NORTH SHORE COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE, MEDIATIONS
& FAMILY LAW, LLC
Keep the Personal Details of Your Divorce,
Private.
Taking a Collaborative Approach to Divorce Helps You Keep Your Personal Information Private.
In Contrast to Divorce Litigation, Divorce Mediation is:
-
Short-Term,
-
Confidential, and
-
Less Expensive than Litigation.
DIVORCE MEDIATION IS SHORT-TERM
Because divorce mediation is laser-focused on working out specific divorce issues
like divvying up assets, calculating support, and creating parenting plans and schedules, it is designed to be short-term.
(See FAQs for a more detailed timeline comparison between mediating and litigating a divorce.)
DIVORCE MEDIATION IS CONFIDENTIAL
If protecting your privacy is important, mediating divorce helps keep sensitive personal (including financial information) private.
(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.)
NORTH SHORE COLLABORATIVE
DIVORCE MEDIATIONS & FAMILY LAW, LLC
Get a Better Divorce Settlement by Getting a Better Divorce
8170 McCormick Blvd., Suite 219
Skokie, IL 60076
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
847-213-0201
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, but the fee comes off your first invoice.
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 pilot you through your legal settlement.
2) A second attorney legalizes your settlement.
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.
TOP 5 REASONS PEOPLE MEDIATE
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.
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.
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.
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.
Absent such concerns, divorce mediation is always an option.
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.
WHY DOES MEDIATING DIVORCE SAFEGUARD MY PERSONAL INFORMATION & PRIVACY?
Mediating your divorce keeps your personal information (including financial information) private.
On the other hand, if you litigate your divorce, all the documents filed by your attorney will become public records.
WHY SHOULD I MAKE SURE MY DIVORCE MEDIATION IS ONLY CONDUCTED BY A LICENSED DIVORCE ATTORNEY?
Attorney Lisa Wiemken trained in Advanced Mediation at Harvard Law School and Divorce Mediation at
The Northwestern School of Professional Studies.
Divorce is a complex legal process.
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
It is Always More Prudent to Know What Your Divorce Will Cost Upfront.
Schedule a Collaborative Divorce Consultation from the blue box and at the top of this website.
There is a fee for the 1/2-hour consultation, but you get it back on your invoice.
WHY IS 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.
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.
WHAT ABOUT COVID?
Like so many, North Shore Divorce Mediations & Family Law pivoted to providing mediation services via Zoom.
Now, most couples prefer convenience. On the other hand, we have conference space available for couples who prefer in-person mediation sessions.
WHAT IF I HIRED A "NON-ATTORNEY" DIVORCE MEDIATOR?
In Illinois, the Practice of Law is Not Limited to participation in court activities. The Unauthorized Practice of Law Includes providing any purported legal advice or services. Here's the relevant rule that applies to the unauthorized practice of law in Illinois: Giving legal advice or rendition of services to the extent it requires any degree of legal knowledge or skill" is the unauthorized practice of law.
(People ex rel, Illinois State Bar Association v. Schafer, 404 ILL. 45, 50, et al.
If you or someone you know has been solicited or harmed by a person referring to themselves as a
"Non-Attorney Divorce Mediator," you can report it.
Protect yourself and the public.
http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/about/probono.html
Request an investigation at https://www.isba.org/advocacy/upl
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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