Is Fall a Good Time for Divorce Mediation?

With the end of summer approaching and September now in full swing, many people feel like now is the time to begin divorce mediation. Ever since we were kids, we were taught fall is a time of change and all things new. We had a new teacher, we were in a new grade or school, perhaps started a new job if we had just graduated from college and gotten a new “back to school” wardrobe. All this “newness” might make one think that fall is the best time to get a divorce but that may or may not be the case. If you’ve been thinking about divorce for a while now, then yes, mediation is your best option for moving forward in a peaceful and efficient manner. However there are some important things you need to know so that you may manage your expectations accordingly.

First is the holidays. With Thanksgiving and Hanukkah and Christmas mixed in over the next few months, schedules can get busy and making the time for divorce mediation can be a challenge. Second the courts do shut down towards the end of the year so if you intend on trying to file before year-end, it’s best you start now. If you do intend on divorcing, fall is actually a good time to engage in mediation as while most clients contact our offices in January as part of their “New Year’s Resolution” (yes divorce has a season) by engaging in mediation now, you’ll be done and ready to file with the courts when everyone else is simply starting to take that first step.

If you and your spouse are ready to meet with us, please give us a call at (908) 864-2177 and we’ll glad to help you figure out if the fall is a good time for divorce mediation in your particular situation.