Mediation Lawyer
Going through a divorce is never easy, and the legal process often becomes an emotional and financial burden, even if it’s a collaborative divorce. Divorce Mediation is a process for dispute resolution outside of court. The parties and their attorneys meet with a mediator, who is trained and certified to help reach an agreement. Mediators do not decide issues for parties, but instead, create options for resolving issues. Mediation is required in the state of Florida before any family law matter can proceed to a hearing before a judge. Further, in our experience, 80% to 90% of litigated cases resolve at mediation before a trial or protracted litigation.
The Benefits of Divorce Mediation
Mediation allows the parties to take control of the dispute resolution process and make their own decisions. The division of property, parental responsibilities, child support, and spousal support are excellent topics for mediation. The parties work with a neutral third party, known as a mediator, who guides them to an agreement.
Our team of Tampa mediation lawyers will help you prepare for and get the best possible result at mediation. We will educate you on the process, advise and guide, as well as provide insights on how to protect your interests. We also ensure that you obtain the necessary financial information regarding assets, debts, property, bank and investment accounts prior to mediation so that you can make an informed choice. Ultimately, you control the decisions about any arrangements while the mediator acts to protect the process and facilitate agreement. A settlement document is drafted that memorializes what has been resolved and agreed upon once an agreement is reached.
Divorce mediation is significantly quicker and cheaper than litigating a divorce. Going to trial often involves countless hours of discovery, preparing witnesses, preparing and filing motions and exhibits, as well as the expense of expert witnesses. Mediation empowers parties to create their own agreements and resolutions. The mediator is not a decision maker but is there to encourage and facilitate the parties reaching an agreement themselves. A couple can learn how to work together going forward by resolving their differences rationally. This is especially helpful as it relates to parental responsibilities and child rearing decisions.
Dedicated Tampa Divorce Mediation Lawyer
At Blair H Chan, III, PLLC we are experienced and successful at resolving cases through mediation. We routinely provide advice and counsel to clients on the divorce mediation process in the greater Tampa area. This form of dispute resolution is a less adversarial way to settle a divorce that can reduce tension and lead to more satisfactory results for both parties. We serve clients in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties and throughout the greater Tampa area including the cities of Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Plant City.
