Florida Child Support Mediation Lawyer

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187 Washington Ave, Suite 2F
Nutley, NJ 07110

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28 Valley Road, Suite 1
Montclair, NJ 07042

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Child Support Mediation Attorney in Florida

Child support can be a vital tool for a parent raising and caring for a child after a divorce or separation. Delinquent payments or conflict in negotiating the terms of a child support payment plan can cause undue stress for parents and their children. Whether you are just beginning the process of putting together a payment schedule for child support, need help amending your court-ordered child support payment plan, or are trying to take legal action to get missed payments, a Florida child support mediation lawyer can help. 

Brad Micklin, a Florida Supreme Court Certified child support mediator, has over 20 years of experience. Splitting time evenly between New Jersey and Palm Beach, Florida, Brad can help you with your child support mediation case by focusing on the unique needs of your family to help find financial solutions that work for all parties. Save time and money by staying out of court and instead choose Shore 2 Shore Mediation to assist in your child support mediation needs.

Child Support Mediation in Florida 

In Florida, mediation can be a cost-effective alternative to litigation. Child support mediation allows parents to remain in control of the narrative, make their needs and wishes clear, and reach a mutual agreement without a court’s involvement. The only time a judge is required is to sign the final agreement. Child support mediation in Florida is not mandatory, though there are numerous benefits to choosing mediation over litigation:

• Mediation allows parties who are co-parenting a confidential and collaborative space to discuss their needs. 
• Sometimes families have unique expenses or living situations that require more sensitive negotiation.
• Using mediation to resolve your child support case results in a legally binding agreement between parties that adheres to the child support guidelines of Florida. 

Parents often know what is optimal for their financial situation and their child or children. Judges may not sit with the families to understand the details or discuss these legally binding, often long-term agreements. The average annual child support in Florida is around $6,000, but that amount varies with the unique needs of each family. When you hire a child support mediation attorney, they can represent you at any step of the child support process, including:

• Reviewing the initial case along with supporting documents
• Modifying existing child support orders
• Mediating disputes over delinquent payments
• Representing unique or extreme circumstances, such as co-parents who reside in different states
• Representing families with substantial financials 

Mediation can also be a better choice for parties who are self-employed, work nontraditional jobs, or have other circumstances that fall outside the standard child support case. It can also be the right choice to keep matters more private.

What to Expect with Child Support Mediation?

When you decide to begin the filing process for your child support case and begin mediation, the first thing that usually happens is a review of both parties’ financial records. All relevant financial documents must be presented, including:

• Income and banking statements
• Tax information
• Details of the child’s expenses

A child’s expenses can vary by case. These expenses include basics, such as food, clothing, and shelter, but could also include:

• Healthcare or other medical needs
• Education, which may include college savings, current schooling fees, supplies, uniforms, extracurricular activities, trips, and meals 
• Childcare before or after school, during the summer, and when the parent is at work
• Transportation associated with school and other activities 

In typical child support litigation in Florida, child support payments do not cover luxury items, non-essential activities, or expensive hobbies unless specifically agreed upon or ordered by a judge. Mediation can help in these unique circumstances as well, allowing both parents to decide what is optimal for their child and what is realistically affordable if there is room for flexibility.

What Is Discussed in Child Support Mediation Sessions?

While there is no set number of sessions in child support mediation cases, each session is generally productive and focused on reaching an agreement that suits your family and your child. Topics covered can vary, but typically include:

• Basic child support duties
• Insurance coverage for the child  
• Any outstanding or ongoing medical conditions, such as braces, surgery, or long-term medical care
• Childcare costs and what childcare schedules are ideal for both parents
• All expenses related to the child’s education and extracurricular activities, such as band or a sport

Mediation is also a good time to address any known or anticipated future needs. Being proactive in planning for your child’s future needs could help both parents avoid future litigation or disputes. 

Modifying Child Support Agreements

When life changes, you need legal mediation representation that can assist in modifying your child support agreement to better mirror your current circumstances. Changes to child support agreements can be made due to a number of life events, including:

• A change to your income, either an increase due to a promotion or a decrease due to job loss.
• A change in the amount of time a child is spending with each parent.
• Updates to the child’s expenses or needs, such as new medical or education costs.
• The relocation of one or both parents could affect the shared time, potentially altering child support needs. 

Shore 2 Shore Mediation is knowledgeable in family law. We are prepared to guide you through the child support mediation process, regardless of your family’s individual circumstances. 

Hire a Child Support Mediation Lawyer

Mediation to resolve child support needs in Florida is a great option for families who might have wealth that exceeds the standard child support guidelines or for families who are facing a financial difficulty that does not allow them to adhere to the standard guidelines. Let Brad Micklin help you find an agreement that suits your family’s unique needs. 

To file the necessary forms or to get more information on the Florida courts,  the Palm Beach Family Court is located at:

205 N. Dixie Hwy, West
Palm Beach, FL 33401

Only you know what your family values and what your child needs. The Micklin Law Group is here to help, and our priority is to find a resolution that honors your needs and the needs of your child. Whether you need assistance beginning, updating, or disputing child support payments, contact Shore 2 Shore Mediation and hire a Florida child support mediation attorney today.