Divorce mediation in Jacksonville can be very helpful by allowing you to resolve your case quicker and at much lower cost. Family law mediation, in general, can be helpful in resolving disputes that arise is the following types of family law cases:
- divorce
- paternity
- modification of child support, alimony or time sharing
- relocation
- prenuptial agreements
A mediation is conducted by a mediator – a neutral third party assigned to the case by the judge or by the agreement of the parties. During a mediation, the mediator takes settlement offers back and forth between the parties. Also, a mediator offers suggestions to help the parties come to an agreement.
The mediator does not offer legal opinions and does not make decisions that affect your case. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the issues in the case will need to be decided by the judge who has been assigned to your case. Divorce mediation is for those seeking legal separation from their spouse.
Divorce Mediation in Jacksonville
The primary benefit of mediation is a quicker and less expensive resolution to your family law dispute. Before your case can be heard by a judge, Florida law requires that the parties attend a mediation and try to resolve the dispute. Since the entire mediation process is confidential, attendance at the mediation is typically limited to the parties and their lawyers. The terms of various settlement offers cannot be presented to the judge at a trial.
Fortunately, there is no requirement that you have a case before your attend a mediation. If both parties agree, you can attend a mediation prior to filing your case with the Clerk. This is the next best option to having an uncontested divorce.
Often a couple going through a divorce agrees that they don’t want their case to be “messy” and they agree that they don’t want to spend a small (or large) fortune on the process – but they can’t quite come up with an agreement themselves. If you are in this type of situation, you should consider a divorce mediation in Jacksonville to help you and your spouse come to an agreement that would allow your case to proceed as an uncontested divorce.
Mr. Mullaney is a divorce mediator who has been certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Family Law Mediator. He has attended mediations as an attorney or mediator for over 20 years.
