Is Mediation the Right Approach for My Divorce?

If you are considering getting divorce in Florida, there are many questions that require the insight of a Miami family law attorney. Not every situation is necessarily appropriate for going through the process of litigation, especially if children are involved.

Litigation can be expensive, time-consuming and emotionally draining for you as well as other family members. The good news is this is not your only option when it comes to terminating your marriage.

In the event that you wish to move forward with ending your marriage in Miami, mediation may be an alternative option to consider in order to pursue a quicker and less expensive method for resolution.

Read on to learn more about whether mediation is the right fit for your case. Speak with your Miami family law attorney about options for mediation over litigation for your Florida divorce.

What is Mediation?

Rather than presenting your case to a judge and having him or her make decisions based on the materials presented by you and your Miami family lawyer, mediation provides a more simple avenue.

In mediation, a neutral third party is appointed to help you and your spouse work through relevant issues together. This puts you in the driver’s seat much more than if you were to move forward with litigation, and gives you many different options for how you will carry out your conversations.

For example, if you and your spouse are able to cooperate together and sit at the same table, you can approach mediation in this manner.

In the event that you feel like face to face communication is not really beneficial, the mediator can shuttle back and forth between different rooms.

When is Mediation Not a Good Choice?

There are certain circumstances in which mediation is a poor choice for resolving your divorce. In the event that you and your spouse have a history of domestic violence or abuse, mediation may be not be the right fit for resolving your issues. It is frequently difficult for a victim of domestic violence to feel comfortable communicating with the other party.

If you and your spouse have come to terms of gridlock over relevant issues like child custody and spousal support, then you may be unable to benefit from mediation.

How to Prepare for Your First Mediation Session

In your first mediation session you will have a great deal of freedom and flexibility to determine how the process will unfold. The mediator will get a sense of the key issues to be determined throughout the process, and help to decide the appropriate format that will affect your case.

It is important to remember that the mediator does not actually have a suggested outcome for your case. Rather, he or she helps the two of you communicate together and arrive at meaningful resolutions.

Preparing for the first meeting means that you should have all of your documentation already prepared and organized in order to attend the meeting.

Meet with Your Miami Family Law Attorney First

Consulting with a knowledgeable Miami family law attorney is strongly recommended if you are considering mediation for your divorce in Florida.

Mediation can be extremely beneficial when it suits your situation but it is certainly not the right choice for everyone.

Speak with a Miami family lawyer can give you a better perspective on whether or not mediation is an appropriate avenue for your case.