Divorce Mediation in Long Island, Empowering You to Stay Out of Court
Divorce Mediation gives you and your spouse the opportunity to make the decisions that will shape your family and your future rather than leaving those decisions to a judge. With the guidance of a trained, neutral mediator, you work together to identify the issues that need to be resolved, explore options, and develop agreements that work for both of you.
At Vaz Law, mediation is not a one-size-fits-all process. Every family comes to divorce with different needs, and the mediation process can be customized accordingly. Some couples may need help working through parenting schedules and decision-making. Others may have complex financial issues involving businesses, real estate, retirement assets, support, or the division of property. Many need assistance with a combination of both.
We offer two different mediation tracks so that the process can better reflect the level of support your family needs. Our Flat-Fee Mediation option may be a good fit for couples who have already resolved many of their issues or have a more limited number of matters to work through. For couples with more complex or open-ended issues, such as significant assets, businesses, complicated financial matters, or parenting and custody, our traditional hourly mediation provides the flexibility to spend the time needed to fully address those issues.
Mediation can also offer a more streamlined and, in many cases, more cost-effective alternative to traditional divorce litigation. Rather than preparing for court appearances and asking a judge to make decisions about your family, mediation focuses your time and resources on working toward a resolution together.
When additional expertise would be helpful, other professionals can become part of the mediation process. This may include a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) or other financial professional, parenting specialist, mental health professional or divorce coach, realtor, estate planning attorney, or other trusted professional. The goal is not to build a larger team than you need, it is to bring in the right support when it can help you make informed decisions and move the process forward.
Mediation also does not require you and your spouse to agree on everything before you begin. In fact, working through disagreements is part of the process. The mediator creates structure for those conversations, helps both spouses identify their priorities and concerns, and facilitates negotiations toward mutually acceptable solutions while remaining neutral to both parties.
For couples who already communicate well, mediation can provide the legal framework and guidance needed to turn their decisions into a comprehensive agreement. For couples facing conflict, communication challenges, complicated finances, difficult parenting issues, or significant differences in their positions, mediation can provide the structure and professional support needed to work through those issues outside of court.
Throughout the process, you and your spouse remain the decision-makers. The goal is to give you the information, guidance, and support you need to make thoughtful choices and reach an agreement that allows your family to move forward with greater privacy, dignity, and control.
What's Included in Our Divorce Mediation
We provide comprehensive, end-to-end support designed to ensure financial transparency, emotional protection, and court-compliant documentation, every step handled with empathy and integrity.
Choose the Level of Support That Fits Your Situation
A predictable, transparent alternative to traditional hourly mediation.
Level One: Document Prep & Filing
The simplest, most affordable way to finalize your divorce.
For couples who already agree on all terms. We confirm details in a short meeting, then draft and e-file your documents.
Level Two: Formal Mediation
Guided sessions to resolve remaining issues with clarity and support.
For couples who need help finalizing agreements. Includes 3 one-hour sessions, MOU after each, and full drafting & filing.
Level Three: Integrated Mediation
Comprehensive support with trusted professionals for complex needs.
For couples who want added help. Includes 3 sessions, up to 4 hours with a CDFA/parenting coordinator, attorney review, and full drafting & filing.
Hourly Mediation
Our hourly mediation rate is $650 per hour and requires an initial $6,000 retainer. As work is completed on your matter, fees are billed in one-tenth-of-an-hour (six-minute) increments and deducted from your retainer. If the retainer is depleted before your mediation is complete, you will be asked to replenish it so work can continue. Because every mediation is different, we cannot predict or guarantee the total cost or how many, if any, retainer replenishments may be required. Once our work is complete, any unused portion of your retainer will be refunded to you.
QDRO Services: $2,000 Flat Fee
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a specialized court order that may be required to divide certain retirement benefits between spouses as part of a divorce.
Vaz Law does not draft QDROs in-house. When a QDRO is required, we work with an experienced outside QDRO Consultant who prepares the specialized order.
Our $2,000 flat fee per QDRO covers Vaz Law's work related to the QDRO process, including reviewing and incorporating the necessary retirement-division language into your divorce documents, coordinating the QDRO process, and handling the necessary Court filing. The additional fee for the QDRO Consultant is paid directly to the Consultant and may be about $1,000 per QDRO, although Vaz Law does not guarantee another professional's fees.
Please note: The $2,000 flat fee is separate from any other legal or mediation fees paid to Vaz Law. The outside QDRO professional will also charge a separate fee for preparing the QDRO, which is paid directly to that professional and is not included in Vaz Law's flat fee.
Our Divorce Mediation Process
A structured, transparent roadmap from first conversation to final agreement, designed to keep you informed and in control.
Orientation Session
Explaining mediation rules, confidentiality, and gathering documentation.
Issue Identification
Mapping out parenting schedules, asset division, debts, and maintenance.
Facilitated Negotiations
Working through topics together to find workable compromises.
MOU & Filing
Drafting settlement document and filing uncontested paperwork.
Why Choose Vaz Law for Divorce Mediation
Our commitment to empathetic, out-of-court resolution saves you time, money, and emotional strain, so you can focus on building what comes next.
Divorce Mediation FAQs
Can a mediator give legal advice to either party?
No, a mediator acts as a neutral facilitator. Both parties may consult review counsel.
Is mediation suitable for high-conflict divorces?
If both agree to try in good faith, mediation can de-escalate tension.
How many mediation sessions will we need?
Most couples reach a full agreement in 3 to 6 sessions, though complex financial or parenting issues may require more. Sessions are typically 90 minutes and scheduled at your pace.
What happens after we reach an agreement in mediation?
Your mediator drafts a Memorandum of Understanding outlining every term. You can have it reviewed by independent counsel, and we prepare and file the uncontested divorce paperwork with the court.
Can mediation be done virtually?
Yes. We offer Zoom mediation sessions so both spouses can participate from separate locations, which often reduces tension and makes scheduling easier.
Do we both have to be in the same room?
No. Shuttle mediation lets the mediator move between separate rooms or virtual breakout sessions, which is helpful when direct conversation feels too difficult.
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Ready to Get Started with Divorce Mediation?
Book a confidential 60-minute virtual consultation directly with Liz Vaz, Esq. We'll help you find the out-of-court path that fits your life.