The purpose of divorce meditation is simply to attempt to broker an agreement with the divorcing couple regarding some, if not all, of the issues in a divorce. Mediation allows the divorce couples to resolve temporary and permanent issues. In the best cases, the parties enter divorce mediation and get a global settlement. That means all issues are permanently resolved.
When this happens in a mediation, the mediator with the help of their attorneys, if they are represented, will start boiling down the agreement. As Florida’s a contract state, if all the issues are resolved and signed off on by the parties, then in the majority of cases all that’s left to do is to take the agreement to the judge and have the judge sign off on everything and finalize the divorce.
Not only should most people with a contested or uncontested divorce cases try mediation, but also almost all counties in Florida will require the parties to try divorce mediation before coming in front of the judge to litigate their disputes. In the Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, all have standing orders requiring the parties to try divorce mediation before going in front of the judge and asking for help. There are some exceptions to this general rule. For example, cases of domestic violence may be best served to proceed right to the judge without going into mediation. While some divorce cases can resolve themselves at any time among the lawyers or even among the parties, most settle in a divorce mediation settlement conference.
Contact Deborah Beylus at South Florida Mediation Services if you are facing divorce or a post-divorce issue and wish to mediate. 561 789 0710. www.southfloridamediationservices.com