Family Law Mediation
Dr. Duncan is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator, available to mediate your family law case.
What is family law mediation?
At some point in a divorce proceeding the parties may request, or the Court may order, mediation of the case. Mediation is a process for resolving disputes that allows parties, with the help of a mediator, to come to an agreement on contested issues.
Who are mediators?
Mediators help parties in conflict resolve their legal disputes. Most of the disputes involve family matters, either before or after divorce, including parental responsibility, parenting plans, child support, property division and alimony. Other family matters, including paternity, may be mediated.
A Florida Supreme Court certified mediator conducts the mediation according to rules and statutes requiring mediators to:
- Remain neutral – not biased toward either party
- Not force either party into an agreement
- Always work for the mutual good of the parties.
What does mediation do?
Mediation opens lines of communication and allows parties to explore all settlement options in order to resolve disputes. Everything said during mediation is confidential and (except as provided by law) may not be repeated to anyone other than the other party and/or the party’s attorney. Mediation gives parties more control over the outcome of their case, normally allows the case to be resolved sooner, and can save on the overall expense involved in the case.
In mediation, the negotiations are conducted primarily by the parties. The mediator has no decision-making authority. The mediator’s role is to encourage and facilitate resolution of the dispute by assisting the parties to identify the issues and each party’s needs and interests, fostering joint problem solving, and exploring settlement alternatives.
What will we talk about?
During mediation parties work towards an agreement on a variety of issues including (but not limited to):
- Division of assets and debts
- Who will pay for what
- Alimony
- The parenting plan
Prior to mediation, make certain to inform the mediator of any pending Domestic Violence Injunctions involving you or the other party.