How Mediation Can Help Resolve Dispute In Your Divorce
In divorce, decisions regarding money, property, and the care of children can be difficult to make. In situations where you cannot reach agreements, you can have the judge decide for you, but this has certain drawbacks. Divorce mediation is generally a better alternative, allowing you to maintain your privacy and create more personalized arrangements. Find out what is involved and how it can help.
What Is Involved In Divorce Mediation?
Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) used in a variety of civil cases. Under the Florida Statutes, it involves having a neutral third party appointed by the court meet with the parties involved, listen to each person’s perspective, and help them reach mutually beneficial agreements.
A mediator may make suggestions on how to resolve important issues, but is not authorized to make any legal judgments in the case or issue final orders. Issues that may be addressed during divorce mediation include:
- Division of marital property and assets, which includes any homes, cars, household furnishings, personal collections, money in bank accounts, business interests, and retirement benefits earned or accrued over the course of your marriage.
- Determinations regarding spousal support, which may be in order if one spouse makes significantly less than the other, is unable to work, or sacrificed their own career or education for the sake of the marriage.
- Child time sharing and parenting plans, which determine how the child’s time is divided between both parents, plans for holidays, school breaks, and other special occasions, pick up and drop off arrangements, and legal custody, which is the authority to make decisions on behalf of the child. Child support payments can also be negotiated.
After meeting with each party, the mediator will offer recommendations and help negotiate an agreement, which can then be used as a basis for a final order.
The Benefits of Divorce Mediation
The Florida Courts encourage mediation as a way of resolving disputes in divorce. It can save you both time in attending court hearings and money in legal fees. Other important benefits include:
- It allows for more personalized arrangements: Rather than having a judge issue an order based strictly on state law and evidence presented in your case, mediation allows customized arrangements that take into consideration your specific situation and each party’s individual needs.
- It protects your privacy: Court hearings in divorce are presented out in the open and any testimony or other evidence becomes part of the public record. Mediation happens behind closed doors and protects the privacy of everyone involved.
- It encourages communication: Just because you are getting a divorce, you will still need to communicate with your spouse occasionally. This is particularly true if there are children from the marriage. Mediation can help lay the groundwork for resolving any future issues that arise.
Discuss Mediation With Our Seminole Divorce Attorney
At The Reep Law Firm, we can answer your questions regarding divorce mediation and how it can help in your case. To discuss more about the process, call or contact our Seminole mediation attorneys online and request a consultation today.
