GET A BETTER DIVORCE SETTLEMENT BY GETTING A BETTER DIVORCE
NORTH SHORE DIVORCE MEDIATIONS & FAMILY LAW, LLC
Keep Your Sensitive Personal Information Private
Taking a Collaborative Approach to Divorce Empowers You to Move Past One of Life's Most Difficult Times in a Faster, Confidential, Less Expensive Way.
In Contrast to Divorce Litigation, Divorce Mediation is:
Short-Term,
Confidential, and
Less Expensive than Litigation.
We Do Not Offer Free Collaborative Divorce Consultations. But, You Can Schedule a Paid 1/2 Hour Consultation Up Top.
DIVORCE MEDIATION IS SHORT-TERM
Because divorce mediation is laser-focused on working out specific divorce issues
like divvying up assets, support, and parenting 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 information private. On the contrary, litigating your divorce means divorce documents filed in court become part of a public record that can be accessed by anyone.
(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 in order to start a new chapter on better financial footing possible. Mediating can help safeguard the couple's assets.
(See FAQs for a more detailed cost comparison between mediating and litigating a divorce.)
NORTH SHORE 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 nasty the litigation gets. The nastier a divorce is, the more expensive it will be.
WHICH COSTS MORE? MEDIATING OR LITIGATING DIVORCE?
In almost all cases, mediating a divorce saves a lot of money. A mediated divorce typically ranges from $3,000 to $9,000. A litigated divorce, on the other hand, can range from $25,000 to $70,000 or more. And, if a divorce goes to trial, it can easily range $75,000 or more.
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 know what your divorce will cost upfront.
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 pilots you to settlement.
2) A second attorney legalizes the settlement.
IS DIVORCE MEDIATION LIKE MARRIAGE THERAPY?
No. Divorce mediation is not therapy. Divorce mediation is intended to be laser-focused on the legal and practical decisions that must be set-forth.
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. Protect privacy.
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.
"After all, I want "my day in court" to air out 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.
Judges don't have time for it, and they don't stand for it.
"Old-school" divorce attorneys love to press the "Judge Judy" notion because it drives fees. (Duh.)
Please don't let yourself get caught up in the "Judge Judy" notion.
(Thank me later!)
WHAT IF I WANT TO MEDIATE THE DIVORCE, BUT MY SPOUSE DOESN'T?
Divorce mediation is a completely voluntary process. That means both parties must agree to mediate their divorce.
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, severe substance abuse, or physical or mental impairments that interfere with the ability to understand, participate, and advocate for themselves.
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 can “win” from litigation, and not what they stand to "lose."
hink about how much upheaval and uncertainty they’ll experience for a protracted period of time. Extended conflict is stressful and takes a toll on your psychological and physical health. Mediating with North Shore Divorce Mediations & Family Law helps you move on with a fair settlement.
Since mediated agreements are only finalized when both parties agree, people report higher rates of satisfaction vs. court-imposed decisions. Mediated have higher rates of compliance because people most people honor and follow through with agreements they have an equal say in creating.
Post-Dissolution problems are rare in mediated divorces.
WHY DOES MEDIATING DIVORCE SAFEGUARD MY PERSONAL INFORMATION & PRIVACY?
Mediating your divorce keeps your personal information private because all the personal details of your divorce are worked out between the parties behind closed doors in a neutral, quiet, comfortable setting.
On the other hand, when you litigate your divorce, all the documents filed in your case become public records.
WHY SHOULD I MAKE SURE MY DIVORCE MEDIATION IS 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.
So, it is not a good idea to trust someone who isn't a family law attorney to pilot you through it.
And, I get it. People generally don't like attorneys. But don't cut off your nose to spite your face.
They charge as much or more than a licensed attorney.
In the end, you'll likely end up having to go back and hire a licensed attorney anyway to clean up the mess.
That's expensive.
Nice attorneys are out there. Lisa Wiemken is one of them.
(But, hey. You do you.)
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 completing the divorce), an attorney will file the necessary papers with the court and incorporate your Final Mediation Agreement. If the judge agrees that the settlement negotiated between the parties in mediation is reasonable, your court experience will be quite limited.
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 outcomes.
FLAT-FEES
It is Always More Prudent to Know What Your Divorce Will Cost Upfront.
Schedule a Consultation at the top of the website.
WHY IS NORTH SHORE DIVORCE'S LAW FIRM BUSINESS MODEL BETTER?
North Shore Divorce is a better law firm business model because we move couples through the divorce process expeditiously and explain what that process will cost up-front.
The litigation divorce law firm's business model is to get a client in the door with a modest retainer.
Then bill against you as an appreciating asset.
Initial litigation retainers have little bearing on what your divorce will actually 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 actually prefer the convenience of doing it that way. But we have both small and large conference spaces 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 Court. The Unauthorized Practice of Law Includes Providing Any Legal Advice or Services. "When the Giving of Such Advice or Rendition of Such Service Requires the Use of Any Degree of Legal Knowledge or Skill." (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
"Non-Attorney Divorce Mediator," Check the Attorney General’s Website for Links to report it.
http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/about/probono.html
You Can Also 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 in respect to such information.
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