In addition to saving time and money, divorce Mediation provides many important benefits:

• the divorcing spouses decide the terms of settlement, not a judge

• mediation encourages cooperation and results in agreements that are acceptable to both parties

• everything discussed during a mediation is private

• both spouses have a chance to express their needs and preferences in a comfortable, non-threatening environment

• each party may still have a lawyer advising them

What a mediator does

A Mediator is a neutral third party whose job is to help you talk about and resolve the issues in your divorce or separation. The mediator does not pass judgments, make decisions for you or give legal advice. However, she can help you and your spouse identify which legal issues need to be resolved and give you information about what family law statutes and rules say.

For example, The Coleman Law Group’s experienced attorney mediators can help you understand what the law says about such issues as child custody, child support, visitation, division of property and spousal maintenance (alimony). The mediator can suggest options for resolving these matters and once an agreement is reached will draw up the paperwork necessary for a binding settlement.

A mediator can help spouses reach an agreement within a few weeks or months, instead of the years a family court trial in Florida often takes. Because of this, mediation costs only a fraction of what couples end up spending in litigation. This can of tremendous benefit to many newly divorced men and women who must adjust to altered financial situations and can ill afford huge expenditures in attorney fees.

The process is confidential

Instead of having to air your differences or “dirty laundry” publicly in a courtroom, mediation offers complete confidentiality and privacy. Nothing discussed in mediation becomes part of any public record and no offer of compromise or settlement can be used for or against either spouse in any future proceeding. This allows the divorcing couple to exchange views freely and explore settlement options without fear of disclosure or repercussions if they fail to agree and later have to go to court.

The mediator encourages communication and cooperation

In mediation, both spouses get the chance to communicate their needs and preferences in a non-threatening, non-adversarial atmosphere. You and your spouse–not a judge–control the process.

Reaching a divorce agreement through mediation can be especially important when children are involved. It avoids lengthy and bitter custody battles, which can put enormous stress on emotionally sensitive children who already must deal with the fact of their parents’ separation.

Because court trials are adversarial by nature, they easily can aggravate any preexisting contentiousness, hostility, or anger between spouses. A mediation setting, on the other hand, encourages understanding and compromise. Unlike family court judges, who tend to focus on narrow factual and legal issues, a good mediator helps couples look outside the box to find solutions that work for both spouses.

The mediators at The Coleman Law Group combine skill, experience and compassion to help couples achieve lasting, mutually agreed upon divorce agreements.

Will hiring a mediator work for you?

Divorce mediation can work for most couples. The only requirement is that both people are open to compromise and negotiation. Even if you and your spouse have sharp differences, a skillful mediator will help brainstorm possible solutions and encourage communication in a way that keeps the process headed toward ultimate resolution.

Mediation is not right for everyone, however. If domestic violence is present in the relationship, for example, it may not be possible to keep tempers in check enough for a successful mediation. Or if an alcohol or drug problem will impair someone’s ability to think clearly or lead to out-of-control behavior, mediation may not be a viable option.

For couples in the St. Petersburg, Tampa, or Land O’ Lakes areas, The Coleman Law Group can help you decide if divorce mediation is right for you. If you would like an appointment with a caring, effective mediation professional, please call one of our Florida offices.

In St. Petersburg: 727-214-0400

In Tampa: 813-749-9981

In Land O’ Lakes: 863-877-0007

You also can visit our website at www.thecolemanlawgroup.com/

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