Mediation is a settlement meeting where a neutral, impartial third person, called a mediator, helps the parties to come to agreements about their family issues. The mediation conference is informal, confidential and non-adversarial. The conference takes place in a private conference room where the parties meet together or in separate rooms. The purpose of mediation is to open up lines of communication and to explore all possibilities of settlement in order to resolve family issues. The role of the mediator includes helping the parties identify issues, fostering joint problem solving, exploring settlement options and finding creative solution to family matters. If the parties reach a settlement in mediation, the mediator can draw up a written agreement for the parties to sign.

FAQs Archive | Page 2 of 2 | Cox & Associates, PA

Q: How much does a divorce cost?

A divorce can cost thousands of dollars or it can cost less than $10,000, depending on how reasonable the litigants are in terms of negotiating a deal. Most divorce attorneys in Florida bill hourly and require an initial retainer which is then offset against the time spent on the case. If there is a retainer amount remaining at the end of the case, it is refundable.

Q: Irreconcilable Differences

Florida is a no fault divorce state, which means that if a couple no longer gets along they can file for a dissolution of marriage. A spouse may file for a divorce without his or her spouse having committed any fault. In Florida, you must only prove your marriage is "irretrievably broken" to petition for a divorce.

Q: When Should Mediation Happen?

Parties can mediate their family issues at any time. Often parties have a settlement conference before either of them file papers in the court. After the filing of a divorce, paternity action, custody dispute or post-judgment matter, the courts in Florida usually require the parties to go to mediation before any routine hearings are scheduled. Parties cannot address issues with a judge regarding custody, timesharing, child support, alimony, their home or their finances until they attend mediation.

Q: Who Attends Family Mediation?

Anyone who has family issues that need to be resolved. At the settlement conference, only the parties who will be making decisions should attend. However, if both parties are comfortable, other friends and family members may attend the mediation conference for comfort and support. It is not usually a good idea for either party to bring children to the settlement conference. The parties should discuss who they want to bring to mediation with the mediator before the conference takes place. Mediation is a settlement meeting where a neutral, impartial third person, called a mediator, helps the parties to come to agreements about their family issues. The mediation conference is informal, confidential and non-adversarial. The conference takes place in a private conference room where the parties meet together or in separate rooms. The purpose of mediation is to open up lines of communication and to explore all possibilities of settlement in order to resolve family issues. The role of the mediator includes helping the parties identify issues, fostering joint problem solving, exploring settlement options and finding creative solution to family matters. If the parties reach a settlement in mediation, the mediator can draw up a written agreement for the parties to sign.