On behalf of The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A.
Divorce is not easy for any person involved. This includes the spouses, any children they may have, and
even the extended family members. It is important to remember that at the center of any divorce are
real people experiencing real pain. There are times when divorcing couples go through mediation in
Florida, whether by choice or as a result of the court order. Here, our team wants to discuss why you
should take mediation seriously and not just as a formality in the process.
What Is Mediation In A Fort Lauderdale Divorce?
Mediation is often referred to as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) method in a Florida divorce. In
other words, mediation is a way to resolve a legal dispute without having to go to trial. In divorce
mediation, both spouses work with a neutral mediator that is mutually agreed upon by both sides. This
mediator is going to be a trained professional. In Florida, a divorce mediator needs to be a Florida
Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator.
There is usually some flexibility in the format of divorce mediation. Typically, both parties will be in
different rooms, with the mediator moving between both of them. Each party is allowed to bring their
own legal counsel to the mediation for advice and consultation if necessary.
Mediators have special training in conflict resolution and personal communication, and their job is to
assist both parties in negotiating an agreement on the divorce issues. Typically, a Florida divorce
mediator will be an attorney, but it is not uncommon for a mediator to be a financial expert who can
help deal with issues of complex accounting or tax and valuation issues.
Mediators will not make decisions for the two parties, and they will not issue a judgment. Instead, their
job is to help the two parties reach an agreement if one is possible. It may be possible for mediation to
effectively solve all of the outstanding conflicts in the divorce. In some cases, mediation may resolve
some, but not all of the issues. When this happens, both parties can sign an agreement on the settled
issues and then choose to go to trial on the unresolved matters.
One of the main reasons that you should consider mediation if you are going through a divorce in Fort
Lauderdale or the surrounding areas is that this process can end up saving you money. Divorce cases
that go to trial are inevitably going to be costlier, so the more issues that you can solve through the
mediation, the better your bottom line will look when this process is complete.
Call Our Attorney For A Free Review Of Your Case Today
If you are going through a divorce in or around the Fort Lauderdale area, you should speak to a qualified
attorney as soon as possible. At The Law Office Of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A., we pledge to help you get through
this. Our dedicated and experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer understands the mediation and
divorce process and the importance of getting things right, regardless of whether or not you ultimately
opt for separation. You can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 954-533-2756.
