As your Mediator my role is that of a neutral, impartial, third party, who has no stake in the outcome of the dispute, to help a couple settle and resolve all disputed issues that are present in a divorce.

I encourage dialogue and open communication between a couple, in an environment where each spouse is able to express their opinions and voice their concerns. As a Mediator, I work to help a couple resolve conflicts in their dispute which may involve parental issues such as custody and time-sharing, child support, alimony, and finances including the division of assets and debts. Divorce in Florida can be complex, so often times, a mediator is the best route to take to settle your case. It can be much more cost effective than a litigated divorce in Florida, as well.

My role is to facilitate communication by identifying issues, brainstorming available options, and allowing the parties to reach a voluntary agreement.

As your Mediator, I will prepare a written Marital Settlement Agreement that reflects the agreement reached in mediation, as well as prepare all the documents that are required to be filed in the Court for the parties to move forward to an Uncontested Divorce, and obtain a final Judgment of dissolution of marriage.

In divorce mediation, both parties will be meeting with their experienced family and divorce mediator, an independent neutral party, to settle and resolve all disputed issues that are relevant to your divorce, custody or support matter. Engaging in “divorce mediation” assumes that you will be successful in reaching a mutual understanding through the divorce mediation process, and that all the terms of your agreement which is contained in a “Marital Settlement Agreement” will become a part of the final Judgment of Divorce.

A divorce case that is commenced in Court by parties, with or without legal representation, where the divorcing couple have contested issues that are not resolved, is a “litigated” case and commonly referred to as an “contested” divorce proceeding.

In a litigated or contested divorce there is no overall mutual agreement, and consequently, your case will proceed eventually to court hearings and a final trial for the Judge to ultimately decide the financial and parenting matters. Under Florida law the court can mandate that the parties submit to Mediation before your contested court action is heard before the Judge at a trial. Oftentimes if the contested issues in a Dissolution of Marriage action are not settling, the referral of the contested issues to a Mediator will be made by the attorneys.

Upon the completion of a successful mediation, the Mediator prepares a comprehensive written Agreement that resolves all relevant issues, such as parenting and custody, financial issues and the equitable distribution of assets and debts, among others. Finalizing and signing of the the written Agreement, does not mean that the marriage is dissolved.

To be divorced requires that a court action for dissolution of marriage be instituted and to do that there is the need to file certain documents in Court, which start with a Petition, and that proper notification of the action is given to the other spouse.

The court documents can be prepared in a number of ways. One option is to prepare the required forms which are available at the court clerk’s office. The second option is to have someone prepare the forms for you, such as a mediator, or an attorney.