Suffolk Divorce Mediation

Divorce mediation is when a couple meets together with an attorney-mediator to reach agreement on every issue in their divorce without appearing in court. The mediator doesn’t represent either party — instead, they explain New York State divorce law and facilitate the conversation so the two of you can come to a mutual agreement on all of your issues.

The retainer starts at $4,000 if you have no children under 21, and $4,500 if you do. It works as an hour-based retainer at $400/hour, and there are no additional charges unless the retainer is exhausted — which typically only happens when substantial assets like pensions, 401(k)s, or IRAs are involved. Compare that to litigation: two attorneys, two retainers, court costs, and hours billed while you sit waiting for your case to be called.

That’s up to you. Unlike a contested divorce in court, mediation has no strict timetable — the process moves as quickly or as slowly as the two of you want. Most couples come to mediation to finish their divorce quickly and amicably, and we work to make that happen. How fast you reach agreement is in your hands.

We do. Once you’ve successfully mediated every issue, our attorney-mediators draft and file all of your paperwork with the court — your Stipulation of Settlement and every ancillary document, including the Findings of Fact and the Judgment of Divorce.

Almost always. In mediation you’re in full control — of the agreements you reach and how long the process takes. Instead of two attorneys with a financial interest in a prolonged court battle, you have one mediator whose goal is to make your divorce simple. And if you mediate successfully, you’ll never set foot inside a courtroom or follow a judge’s deadlines.

Mediation is voluntary — both spouses must agree to participate before the process can begin. Because mediation is unbiased and both parties must be present and informed throughout, we won’t discuss any substantive issue in your divorce unless both of you are in the room, including at the initial consultation.

Custody, visitation, and child support are all handled in mediation. We explain the law on each, then help you build a parenting agreement around your child’s best interests — covering schedules, holidays, and emergencies — with the final terms agreed solely by you and your spouse. For support, we show you how a judge would calculate it under the Child Support Standards Act so you can decide together, fully informed.

We explain the law on dividing retirement assets: typically each spouse is entitled to 50% of the marital portion of the other’s accounts. But as long as you both agree, you can use a different percentage — or waive the other’s retirement accounts entirely. The terms are decided solely by the two of you.

There are several possible outcomes — selling the marital residence, or one spouse buying out the other’s interest — and we walk you through each during your sessions. Our mediators won’t let one spouse overpower the other: both of you get the same unbiased treatment and full knowledge of the legalities before you decide.

Yes. The Stipulation of Settlement you sign is a binding legal contract, and it’s incorporated into the Judgment of Divorce signed by a New York judge. A mediated divorce carries exactly the same legal effect as one fought out in court — you simply got there faster, cheaper, and on your own terms.