Reviewed August 2026
Mediation in New Jersey
New Jersey moves contested divorce and family cases through more than one dispute-resolution step before trial. The case starts with an early settlement panel. Two experienced divorce attorneys review the case and recommend a settlement to both sides. If financial issues remain unresolved after that panel review, the court can order the parties into economic mediation, where a trained, impartial mediator helps them work out property division and support. New Jersey also runs a separate track. Its Parenting Coordinator Program, created under Court Rule 5:8D, helps parents who already have a parenting plan work through day-to-day disagreements, like a dispute over a visitation time change. That way, they avoid going back to court each time. Non-dissolution custody and support cases, filed on what New Jersey calls the FD docket, can also be resolved through a consent conference with a trained court professional. New Jersey builds a specific safeguard into its economic mediation program for cases involving an active domestic violence restraining order, so mediation there is not automatic.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how mediation works under New Jersey law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file New Jersey paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Economic mediation after the early settlement panel
In a contested New Jersey divorce, the case is first reviewed by an early settlement panel, two experienced divorce attorneys who recommend how to resolve the financial issues. If the parties do not accept that recommendation and financial disputes remain, the court may order economic mediation. This mediation is limited to financial issues, dividing shared property and setting support. Custody and parenting time are off-limits.
Training runs deep. Mediators on the Judiciary's roster have completed 40 hours of mediation training, and the first two hours of mediation, including the mediator's prep time, are free. After that, the court splits the mediator's fee between the parties.
Mediation when there is an active restraining order
Mediation is not the default here. New Jersey generally prohibits mediation when the parties have an active final restraining order between them. The Domestic Violence Economic Mediation Program is the exception: it proceeds only if the protected party, the person who holds the restraining order, requests it and consents to amending the order to allow mediation. The protected party can end the process at any time and for any reason.
To start, the protected party meets with a domestic violence advocate or trained court staff and files a certification asking the court to refer the case to the program. Filing it does not guarantee referral. If the case is referred, mediation happens in a secure courthouse room or by videoconference, never at the mediator's office, and only mediators with domestic violence training can take these cases. The mediator uses shuttle diplomacy, keeping the parties in separate rooms throughout, so they have no direct contact.
Parenting coordinators for post-judgment disputes
Under Court Rule 5:8D, a New Jersey court can appoint a parenting coordinator to help parents implement an existing parenting plan and resolve day-to-day disagreements, like a change to visitation timing. The coordinator talks with each parent and tries to help them agree. If not, the coordinator makes the call.
Parents have options. They can choose their own parenting coordinator, including someone not on the court's roster, such as a trusted community member, or let the court appoint one from its roster. That roster lists trained professionals, often attorneys, mediators, or mental health professionals, who charge an hourly fee.
Consent conferences in non-dissolution custody cases
New Jersey's non-dissolution cases, filed on the FD docket, cover custody, visitation, paternity, and child support outside a divorce. These cases are screened for a consent conference, where a trained court professional helps the parties discuss each issue and try to reach an agreement. Agreement is the goal. If the parties agree, court staff write up an order for both parties and the judge to sign; once signed, it becomes a binding, enforceable order.
Not every issue settles there. Those can go through further mediation, be handled at a court hearing, or be dismissed by the judge, depending on the case.
Confidentiality and becoming a mediator
New Jersey's economic mediation program lists confidentiality as one of its core benefits, along with letting the parties shape their own agreement rather than have one imposed on them. Mediators, coordinators, and parenting coordinators on the Judiciary's rosters are not permitted to act as either party's attorney and generally do not give legal advice. Neutrality is the rule. Parties are encouraged to bring their own attorney to mediation sessions or a support person if they do not have one.
Joining is simple. Anyone who wants to join the Judiciary's roster of economic mediators or parenting coordinators has to apply directly with the Family Practice Division, and current roster members can update their status the same way.
Sources: NJ Courts, Economic Mediation in Family Law Cases (program overview, DV mediation track, fees, training), NJ Courts, Parenting Coordinator Program (Court Rule 5:8D), NJ Courts self-help, Consent Conference process for custody and support (FD docket), NJ Courts self-help, Custody and Visitation, NJ Courts, Rules of Court landing page
Not independently confirmed
- Whether New Jersey separately mandates a dedicated custody or parenting-time mediation track distinct from the economic mediation and consent conference processes described here, and its exact Rule of Court citation, was not independently confirmed against live rule text and should be confirmed with the county Family Division.
- Confirm whether New Jersey has adopted the Uniform Mediation Act, and the exact statutory citation, on the current N.J. Stat. Ann. text.
Mediation in New Jersey: frequently asked questions
Is mediation required in a New Jersey divorce?+
It depends on the panel. Contested financial issues that remain after the early settlement panel review can be ordered into economic mediation, which covers property division and support, not custody or parenting time. Whether mediation is ordered depends on what remains unresolved after the settlement panel stage.
Can I mediate with my ex if there is a restraining order between us in New Jersey?+
Safety comes first. Only through the Domestic Violence Economic Mediation Program, and only if the protected party requests it and consents to amending the restraining order, can mediation happen; the protected party can end it anytime. Mediation happens in a secure courthouse room or by videoconference, with the parties kept in separate spaces throughout.
What is a parenting coordinator in New Jersey?+
The role is practical. Under Court Rule 5:8D, a parenting coordinator helps parents implement an existing parenting plan and resolve day-to-day disagreements, such as a change to visitation timing. Parents can choose their own coordinator or use one from the court's roster of trained professionals, who charge an hourly fee.
How much does economic mediation cost in New Jersey?+
The first two hours are free, covering the mediator's preparation and the first session, and after that the court decides how the mediator's fee is divided between the parties. Training is thorough. Roster mediators have completed 40 hours of Judiciary-approved mediation training.
What happens at a consent conference in a New Jersey custody case?+
A trained court professional helps the parties discuss each disputed issue, such as custody, visitation, paternity, or child support, and tries to help them reach agreement. If they agree, court staff draft an order for both parties and the judge to sign. Unresolved issues move to mediation or a hearing.
Is New Jersey family mediation confidential?+
Confidentiality matters most. The state's economic mediation program lists confidentiality as a core feature of the process, and mediators do not represent either party or offer legal advice. Parties are encouraged to bring their own attorney or a support person to mediation sessions.
This page is general information about mediation in New Jersey, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with New Jersey's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in New Jersey. Virdix does not prepare or file New Jersey divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in New Jersey.
More New Jersey divorce guides
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