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Divorce
Mediation |
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Divorce Mediation
Divorce mediation is a voluntary process that a
married couple may enter into to assist them with the finalization
of their marriage.
History
Traditionally when a married couple decided to end their
union, there were only a limited number of options available:
A. If the couple had minor children and
marital assets, they would each retain an attorney and have
their respective attorney hammer out a divorce (marital)
settlement agreement. This agreement would then be presented
to the family court judge for an adjudication of an order
of divorce. However this option usually turns out to be
adversarial, very costly and drawn out. Each party to the
divorce must retain their separate attorney. Also this option
creates a bad relationship between the couple, who are usually
still tied to each other after the divorce. Couples with
children tend to suffer the most emotional damage, using
this method. Studies have shown that there are no real winners
in ending your marriage in this manner. This is not to say
that there is never a good reason for a divorcing couple
to hire an attorney. However a couple should always consider
mediation as the softer approach to divorce.
B. Alternatively if the couple did not
have minor children ... and no real marital assets ... and
were not seeking any sorts of spousal support ... then they
could, all on their own (pro se) petition the courts for
the ending of the marriage. We have seen many happy divorced
individuals who have exercised this option.
However modernly the Florida courts have embraced the use
of Mediators in this area of family law. With the use of
a Certified Mediator the divorcing couple would craft an
agreeable end to their marriage (marital settlement
agreement), work out issues of spousal support (alimony),
parenting plans (visitation) and complete statutory
child support calculations for the continued support of
their minor children.
But before the advent of divorce mediation, the process
of divorce was an emotional, time consuming, and very costly
endeavor on the part of the divorcing couple.
How
Does Divorce-by-Mediation Actually Work?
First we believe that mediation is emotionally and financially
the best way for a couple to obtain a divorce. Divorce-by-Mediation
is a win-win for all parties concerned. The fees are small
and the process is relatively quick and emotionally rewarding.
Also we have streamlined the process, so that there are no
unanswered questions or fees surprises.
A divorce by mediation typically requires three to four sessions
with the Mediator. The complexity of the issues will dictate
the number of sessions. Let me assure you that the process
is confidential (protected by Florida Statute) and emotionally
fulfilling.
Here the parties are usually pro se (representing themselves)
and have not retained attorneys. Each mediation session is
approximately one and a half to two hours long. In these sessions,
we work out the details and reduce to writing the marital
settlement agreement, spousal support (if any), parenting
plans and child support calculations.
Also if requested we may assist the parties with the completion
of the required Florida Supreme Court Forms for filing the
divorce case with the courts.
The total costs of our services are disclosed up front and
so there are no fee surprises at the end. |
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Providing dispute resolution services to the businesses and residents of Pasco County,West Pasco, East Pasco, New Port Richey, Port Richey, Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Zephyrhills, Dade City,
San Ann, Saint Leo, Land O'Lakes, Odessa and the Tampa Bay area Florida.
Contact us: 27212 Foamflower Blvd., Wesley Chapel, FL 33544. (813) 907-8961
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