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5 Reasons to Try Florida Divorce Mediation

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An increasing number of Florida couples opt for divorce mediation because of the numerous benefits it provides. While many couples are required to try mediation to resolve their issues before a trial, some agree to mediation voluntarily.

When considering whether or not you should try mediation in your divorce case, you should learn about the advantages of this alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process.

Below, we will discuss what mediation is and outline five reasons to try mediation to resolve your divorce-related disputes in Florida. If you are considering mediation, consult with an Orlando family lawyer to determine whether you should give mediation a shot.

How does mediation work?

Before we delve into the benefits of mediation, it’s important to understand what mediation is and how it works. Mediation is a private process in which the parties – two spouses – work with a neutral, third-party mediator to resolve their disputes without taking their case to trial.

The parties are free to choose a neutral mediator who is usually a certified and trained family mediator in Florida. After choosing the mediator, the parties will attend one or several mediation sessions, depending on the complexity of the divorce case.

During a mediation session, each spouse and their attorneys will be in separate rooms. The mediator will be conveying information, offers, and counteroffers back and forth between the parties in different rooms before they reach an agreement.

What is the mediator’s role in divorce mediation?

If your divorce involves money issues, your mediator should be a financial expert who can help resolve disputes related to alimony, child support, and property division.

While the mediator plays a crucial role in divorce mediation, they will not issue a judgment or make any decisions for the parties. Instead, their job is to help the parties negotiate and come to an agreement.

While the mediator may assist the parties in creating a mutually acceptable agreement, their role is to help the parties negotiate and break through impasses.

If the parties are able to agree on some issues, but other matters are left unresolved, they may sign an agreement on the settled issues and then proceed to trial to resolve the remaining disputes.

Five advantages of divorce mediation in Florida

The most prominent advantages of divorce mediation are:

  1. The spouses can control the outcome of their divorce case. Instead of having a judge – who is a complete stranger – decide for you, you and your spouse can compromise and come to a mutually acceptable agreement.
  2. Mediation is not as costly as litigation. Taking your divorce case to trial can be very expensive. Resolving your disputes through mediation before a trial can lower the cost of your divorce.
  3. Mediation is faster than litigation. If you successfully resolve your disputes through mediation, you will be able to move on with your life much faster than in a trial.
  4. Mediation allows you to make creative decisions. When resolving disputes through mediation, you can agree on creative solutions that would not be possible in litigation.
  5. Your private life will be kept confidential. Mediation sessions are private. The same cannot be said about divorce litigation, where all details of your divorce become public records.

Consult with our Orlando divorce attorney at the Law Offices of Steve W. Marsee, P.A., in Orlando to determine if you can benefit from trying mediation in your divorce case. Schedule a consultation by calling at 407-521-7171.

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