Certified Family Law Mediators
In many divorce cases, couples can resolve their outstanding divorce issues outside of the court process. When people go through divorces, the animosity can increase the longer the case drags on. Litigating a case through the court and trial process can take a long time and involve significant expense, and the spouses might both be unhappy with the outcome when they leave the decisions for their family up to a judge.
Many divorce cases can be resolved through alternative dispute resolution procedures outside of court that involve significantly less time and expenditures. One option that you might want to consider is mediation. This is an out-of-court process through which you and your estranged spouse can try to resolve your issues amicably through a settlement agreement. While mediation can be a good option, it does not mean that you and your spouse will be forced to settle. If a mediated settlement can’t be reached, you will still have to litigate the remaining issues in court.
Understanding Divorce Mediation
Divorce mediation involves the parties meeting together with a neutral third party who is trained in working with both spouses to facilitate an agreement. Both you and your spouse will meet with the mediator, and the mediator will go back and forth between you to try to negotiate an agreement. In some cases, multiple mediation sessions might be necessary so that the parties can reach a full agreement without having to litigate their issues in court.
If the couple reaches a mediation agreement, the mediator will put it in writing. Both parties can then have their attorneys review the agreement and file the settlement documents in court for the judge’s approval. The mediator can’t grant a divorce or file the settlement paperwork in court. Once the attorneys have filed the paperwork, the court will determine whether it is fair and conscionable to both parties. If the court finds that it is fair, the judge will grant it and include the settlement agreement in the court’s orders.
Mediation can be voluntary or court-ordered. In voluntary mediation, the parties agree to mediation and select the mediator. When mediation is court-ordered, the court orders the parties to go to mediation and chooses the mediator the parties will use.
Contact PurLaw
If you and your estranged spouse are considering mediation, you should contact the certified family law mediators at PurLaw in South Florida. Call us today to learn more about our mediation services and to schedule a consultation.
