How Much Does Divorce Really Cost in New Jersey? Mediation vs. Court

One of the first questions people ask when considering divorce is a practical one: how much does divorce cost in New Jersey?

The honest answer is that the cost can vary widely depending on how you choose to handle your divorce. Some New Jersey divorces cost a few thousand dollars. Others can cost tens of thousands, or even more. Costs are especially likely to skyrocket when disputes escalate in court.

Understanding your options early can help you protect not only your finances, but also your time, privacy, and emotional well-being. In this post, we break down the real costs of divorce in New Jersey and compare the cost of mediation to the cost of traditional court litigation. Read more

Divorce Mediation in New Jersey: How It Works, Step by Step

For couples facing the end of a marriage in New Jersey, divorce mediation offers a constructive alternative to traditional litigation. Battling in court, where a judge makes all the decisions, comes at a high financial and emotional cost. It is also time-consuming. By contrast, mediation can empower you and your spouse to resolve issues collaboratively. This approach often saves participants time, money, and emotional stress. In this post, we will walk you through what happens in NJ divorce mediation and break down the NJ mediation process step by step. Knowing exactly how to prepare and what to expect can help you achieve the best possible results. Read more

How to Get a New Jersey Divorce Without a Big Court Battle

Divorce Without Going to Court NJ — Amicable, Efficient, and Collaborative

Happy New Year from all of us at Weinberger Mediation Center! Those of you who found your way to this blog are probably thinking about divorce in 2026. The thought of long court battles, emotional strain, and mounting legal fees can feel overwhelming. You may be wondering if it is possible to get a divorce without going to court in New Jersey.

The good news? Many couples today divorce without going to court in NJ by choosing alternative dispute resolution strategies that emphasize cooperation and fairness. In this post, we’ll explore how to pursue a divorce without going to court in NJ — focusing on mediation, collaborative planning, and other methods that help keep the process as amicable as possible. Read more

Back to School: Is Your Parenting Plan Ready?

It may still be the dog days of summer, but if you are a divorced parent, you are probably already thinking about the kids going back to school. For some families, fall is when things get back to normal after a challenging summer schedule. But what if you are concerned that what has been “normal” may not be working for your family anymore? Here are a few ways to make sure your parenting plan is keeping pace with your kids. Read more

Convincing Your Spouse to Try Mediation

Throughout our series on using mediation to avoid divorce court backlogs, we have done a deep dive into many topics. These have included the differences between litigation and mediation; how the mediation process works; and exactly what it takes to be successful in divorce mediation. There is another topic, however, that does not concern the process itself but is nevertheless critical to success. What if you have read all about the mediation process and you are ready to try it, but your spouse is not interested? If this is where you find yourself, the following information may be of help. Read more

Using Experts in Mediation

COVID-19 mediation

In our last post we talked about complex cases in divorce mediation. Today we will discuss using experts in mediation. You can generally use the same types of experts in mediation as in litigation, but there are often ways to make the process more efficient and cost-effective. Read more

What Does it Take to Succeed in Divorce Mediation?

In our last post we talked about how to wrap up a court case after reaching an agreement in mediation. Today we will look at which divorcing couples can use mediation successfully and which couples should think twice before choosing the process. Read more

How Mediation Can Change Contested Divorce into Uncontested Divorce

This month we are continuing our series on using mediation to avoid divorce court backlogs. Today we will talk about how mediation can move couples toward uncontested divorce and why that is often the best way to proceed. First, let’s look at the differences between uncontested and contested divorce: Read more

How Mediation Differs from Litigation

Welcome to the second topic in our new series about using mediation to avoid divorce court backlogs. Last month we started with an overview of exactly what divorce mediation is.  Today we will talk about the main differences between mediation and litigation. This information will help you understand why it makes sense for most divorcing couples to use mediation at some point during their divorce. Read more

Choosing Mediation to Avoid Divorce Court Backlogs

In recent months, backlogged divorce cases in New Jersey have clocked in at an all-time high of 5100. If you are stuck in this legal limbo, it might be time to consider “off ramping” your case into mediation. If you are just starting the divorce process, you can avoid the quagmire entirely by choosing mediation from the outset. You can even begin private mediation before either of you files for divorce. Read more