Mediation Attorney

Mediation is an alternative to litigation and a lengthy court process.  In family law, mediation is required before issues can be presented to the Court for the judge to consider.  Mediation allows the parties an opportunity to settle issues together in a less adversarial manner with the help of an experienced and neutral mediator.  Mediation is confidential and offers a less stressful manner in which to dissolve a marriage.

The vast majority of family law cases are worked out between the parties, with the help of their attorneys and the mediator at mediation.  At Hunter Law, we are committed to helping you through this difficult, emotional process in an open, fair, and peaceful manner. We have extensive experience helping others through the mediation process and have done so successfully.  

Divorce Mediation Basics in Family Law

The mediator is a neutral party and cannot give legal advice to either party.  Also, the mediator cannot force either party to agree with or comply with specific divorce terms.  The mediator is like the Secretary of State helping negotiate a peace treaty between two countries.  An experienced family law mediator knows how to guide the conversation if either party has difficulty with agreeing to specific issues.  When children are involved, the parties must discuss and agree on what is in the children’s best interests. 

An experienced family law mediator helps guide couples through topics concerning children’s support, education, parenting time, and any topic that the parents feel is relevant to their particular situation. Our job as your attorney during mediation is to advise you on important legal issues and help you resolve the disagreements fairly, amicably, and within the law and public policy.  

What Topics Can Be Discussed In Mediation?

Mediation allows the divorcing couple to discuss issues in an informal, confidential setting openly.  Usual topics include:

• Parental rights, responsibilities, and Timesharing
• Child Support
• Spousal Support
• Life and/or Health Insurance
• Property division
• Attorneys fees

 When discussion becomes difficult because emotions run high, the experienced family law mediator may intervene and propose the parties move into a “caucus.”  In a caucus, the parties go into separate rooms, and the mediator orbits back and forth, carrying proposals and counter-proposals into each room. This helps keep communication focused and the parties’ efforts solution-oriented. The mediator is always neutral and is there to assist both parties.

 We employ principles that help the mediating process run as smoothly as possible, including communication, facilitation, fairness, flexibility, negotiation,  privacy and confidentiality, and problem-solving. The mediation process continues for as long as the parties agree to continue, including agreeing to pay for the process.  At Hunter Law, we are committed to helping you cover all of the necessary issues that need to be resolved. It is easy to feel overwhelmed during this period, and we are here to help. 

 Divorce is a complex legal process with many facets and issues that should be thoroughly and carefully addressed.  The dissolution of a marriage is a life-altering event and can be a very emotional time period for the couple. It is easy, in such circumstances, to overlook important considerations.  The attorneys at Hunter Law, working with an experienced family law mediator, will be sure the important issues have been discussed and considered. We will assist you with cooperative divorce solutions to help reduce the stress of ending a marriage. 

 Advantages of Using an Experienced Tampa Bay Attorney

A Hunter Law attorney can help guide you through the mediation process, help you understand the legal perspective and dimensions of a divorce in Florida, and ensure that your settlements are legally sound and enforceable.  Our attorneys are experienced in family law mediation. We understand the relevant laws and can navigate you through any possible ramifications affecting the decisions made.

Contact us today to set up a face-to-face consultation with experienced, compassionate attorneys.  We will listen patiently and go over the mediation process and how it works. Our goal is to help you in reaching your settlement agreements in a fair manner.  The decisions made in mediation are those made by the couple. We aren’t going to tell you what to do. We are committed to helping guide you through this very important mediation process.

If you have a family law issue related to Mediation, please contact us today to schedule a legal consultation.