Mediation
Mediation as an alternative to litigation can be a useful and cost-effective tool to resolve certain issues in a divorce proceeding so long as the mediator is effective and your adversary knows that (i) you have done your homework; (ii) you know the true state of financial affairs; (iii) you understand your legal rights; and (iv) you are represented by an attorney who is not afraid to fight to protect your interests.
Mediation, if successful, allows parties to control the outcome of the divorce process by means of compromise without incurring further litigation costs and without risking an unfavorable ruling by the family court judge.
The Role of the Mediator
Our Tampa Family Mediators do not make decisions for the parties. Rather, a mediator is a neutral intermediary who facilitates the voluntary resolution of issues between spouses. There is no requirement to reach any agreement in the mediation process. An effective mediator helps the parties find common ground; focuses the discussion on key issues; and makes practical suggestions for useful compromise. During a mediation, the spouses are placed in separate rooms and the mediator shuttles back and forth delivering messages and helping the parties narrow the issues until a final written agreement can be reached.
Why Mediate?
Florida family courts require parties to mediate before coming to court to litigate their divorce or family law case. Properly done, mediation can avoid the high costs and prolonged delays of the litigation process. Mediation also allows parties to control the outcome of the divorce proceeding and manage potential downside risks. Often, the mediation process affords the parties a better opportunity than litigation to communicate meaningfully about their issues and genuinely commit to a workable framework for post-dissolution relations.
If you would like to schedule a civil or family mediation, please contact us today at (813) 331-5699 to speak directly with one of our lawyers.
“I believe in mediation. It’s an important opportunity to resolve your case, and you have to be prepared to make concessions. We will encourage you to compromise, but we won’t pressure you to give up your rights. But, we hope to give you a better alternative to the expense, toll, risk, and uncertainty of finishing your case in the courtroom.”
What We've Achieved
Used mediation to resolve a case that had been in perpetual litigation for over a decade.
Used mediation to persuade parties to abandon post-judgment efforts to terrorize our clients with continuous litigation.
Used mediation successfully in relocation cases.
Used mediation to resolve cases that had been to mediation on multiple occasions in the past.
Used mediation to minimize our clients' risk and exposure.
Used mediation to resolve highly contested matters where both parties claimed they would never settle.