Florida Divorce Mediation Lawyer

Nutley Office
187 Washington Ave, Suite 2F
Nutley, NJ 07110

Montclair Office
28 Valley Road, Suite 1
Montclair, NJ 07042

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Divorce Mediation Attorney in Florida

A divorce means huge changes to your family, lifestyle, and property. With so much at stake during a divorce, a strong divorce agreement and skilled legal guidance are invaluable for your post-divorce life. A Florida divorce mediation lawyer can guide you through the divorce process using a collaborative, personalized method. 

Why You Should Choose Shore 2 Shore Mediation?

Brad M. Micklin is a Supreme Court of Florida-approved certified mediator. He leads a team of other experienced divorce mediators who are passionate about guiding clients through the divorce process with compassion. At Shore 2 Shore Mediation, we can take the time to fully understand your concerns, hopes, and goals for your divorce. Then, we can develop a personalized agreement that allows you to move forward after your divorce. 

We have helped countless Florida couples, as well as Snowbirds who split their time between New Jersey and cities like Palm Beach. Snowbird divorces can be complex, requiring in-depth knowledge of both Florida and New Jersey’s divorce mediation laws. Our team has certified New Jersey Court Rule 1:40 and Florida Supreme Court-certified mediators who can help you navigate this process. 

Understanding Divorce Mediation in Florida

Many couples are left wondering what their options are for a Florida divorce. Florida’s divorce rate is three per 1,000 people. Adults over 50 make up 36% of all divorcing Americans. Many Palm Beach couples are choosing to divorce through Florida’s divorce mediation laws, which allow them to get flexible divorce agreements while encouraging communication throughout the process. 

Mediation is a collaborative divorce process, wherein the final terms of your divorce are worked out through discussions between you and your spouse. Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution, which allows you to settle your divorce without going to trial or even the courthouse, such as the Palm Beach Family Court on Dixie Highway. 

Mediation discussions are moderated by a mediator. This person acts as an impartial party who facilitates the mediation sessions. The mediator doesn’t make decisions on your behalf; rather, they guide you and your spouse toward a mutually agreeable solution to any conflicts. If you hire a divorce mediation lawyer, they can:

• Provide personalized suggestions for issues such as property division, child custody, and other matters.
• Promote financial transparency.
• Encourage good-faith discussions and collaboration.
• Guide discussions so they remain productive and solution-oriented.
• Meet with each person individually to discuss concerns.
• Draft the divorce agreement.

The Benefits of Choosing Mediation

When many people think of divorce proceedings, complex courtroom discussions and heated arguments come to mind. With mediation, you can prevent these issues as well as attain many other advantages that divorce litigation can’t offer. Some of the key benefits of mediation are:

• Fully customized agreements. It is normal to feel concerned about the outcome of your divorce, whether that means an unfavorable custody agreement or losing access to essential property. With mediation, the terms of your divorce are customized to your case, rather than following strict rules. Your lawyer can help you personalize your agreement to reflect your unique values and goals during this process. 
• Retaining control over the outcome. In a litigated divorce, a judge makes the final decision regarding the terms of your divorce. This can leave you with an agreement that doesn’t suit your family, sacrifices your personal interests, or divides property according to standard procedure, rather than your personal wishes. In mediation, you and your spouse make the decisions, not a judge or even your Florida divorce mediation attorney.  
• Preserving personal relationships. Because mediation emphasizes collaboration and finding mutually agreeable outcomes, many couples find themselves left with a more amicable relationship than if they had undergone traditional divorce procedures. A lawyer can also help you preserve your relationship by assisting you in navigating conflicts effectively. 
• Confidentiality. Mediation sessions are held privately and are confidential, unlike divorce litigation. This environment facilitates transparency and open discussion that guides you toward the right outcome for your divorce mediation case. Additionally, what is said during mediation cannot be used against you later if you are pursuing litigation. 
• Cost-effectiveness. Mediation is a quicker, more streamlined divorce process compared to traditional litigation. This helps you avoid the heavy court fees and higher attorney costs. It is also more efficient, generally taking from half an hour to several days. 

FAQs

What Are the Three C’s of Divorce?

The three C’s of divorce are communication, cooperation, and compromise. These principles are essential to have an amicable, uncontested divorce. They are also the founding principles of a divorce mediation case. A Florida divorce mediation lawyer can facilitate the three C’s between you and your spouse to seek agreeable outcomes. 

What Is the Downside to Divorce Mediation?

While divorce mediation offers many benefits to many individuals, there can be downsides for certain cases. Divorces where divorce mediation may not be the right choice include those in which: 

• There is a history of domestic violence.
• There are power imbalances.
• One party is unwilling to communicate or compromise.
• There is a lack of transparency during mediation sessions. 

In these cases, divorce mediation can be unproductive or even lead to safety risks. 

What Assets Cannot Be Touched in a Divorce in Florida?

In general, the assets that can’t be touched in a Florida divorce are those that were acquired before the marriage. These may include contributions to retirement accounts made before the marriage or pre-marital residences. Other assets that can’t be touched are:

• Inheritances or personal gifts made specifically to one person
• Anything that was included in a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement

Your lawyer can explain what assets can be divided and what can remain separate. 

What Happens If You Cannot Reach an Agreement in Mediation?

While mediation is a highly successful method, it doesn’t leave you without options if you cannot agree on the terms of your divorce. If this happens, your lawyer can report to the court that mediation has failed. You can then pursue litigation in court. Additionally, mediation does not bar you from continuing to attempt to settle without the court’s involvement. You can continue to try mediation or work toward an agreement, even if mediation initially failed. 

Hire a Divorce Mediation Lawyer Today

Getting a divorce can be overwhelming, but mediation can help you feel secure knowing you can reach a solution that aligns with your goals. Contact Shore 2 Shore Mediation for a free divorce mediation case consultation.