We at Equitable Mediation Services of New Jersey have been hearing a lot of stories lately about people who can't afford to get a divorce and are forced to live together. For those of you who have been reading my NJ divorce mediation blog for a while know that I've always talked about the many benefits of mediation which include substantial cost savings of $20,000 or more on your divorce but in my years doing this, I never thought mediation could help couples who are forced to live together while waiting to divorce once the economy turns around.

One of the challenges divorcing couples who live together are faced with is the lack of structure when it comes to their living arrangements and future. Trying to negotiate such complex matters in such a highly emotional situation by yourselves can be all but impossible and requires the next level in dispute resolution: mediation. Negotiation is left to more simple matters such as "what do you want to eat tonight" or "which movie do you want to go see " not to determine the future of your living arrangements or financial future. For that you need a professional mediator who can help you make the arrangements necessary to manage your current living situation as well as structure what a possible arrangement would look like once you do decide to divorce.

By working through many of the issues now, once the economy turns around and you are ready to divorce, you will have most everything you need to proceed peacefully, expediently and with as little emotional impact to you and your family as possible. All the fighting that comes with divorce can be all but eliminated if you stick to a few simple ground rules now. A mediator can help you make those arrangements and guide you and your spouse on matters that will be important to you and your children now and when you finally divorce all at a fraction of the cost of a traditional attorney-driven divorce.

Joseph F. Dillon is the founder of Equitable Mediation Services, a New Jersey based mediation practice that serves clients in Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex and Hunterdon counties. The practice was founded as an alternative to the high cost and high stress that is often associated with attorney-driven divorces. All mediation sessions are strictly confidential and handled with the compassion that such an emotional time deserves.

Mr. Dillon can be contacted by phone at (908)864-2177 or or Visit Web Site