Helping Hands Document and Mediation Services

Family mediation raises issues usually involving, child visitation (known as time sharing), child support, alimony and determinations of custody, as well as distribution of assets.

A growing trend is to have a mediator resolve some or all of the issue pre suit before parties engage an attorney, so as to reduce cost and defensive posturing which occurs frequently when the attorneys cannot agree on the issues.  In addition, when the parties seek to complete the divorce without an attorney, known as acting pro se, the engagement of a  mediator is often appropriate to help  the parties resolve the the issues which are necessary and to help them prepare an agreement which binds them.   Pre Suit mediation is voluntary as is pro se mediation.

But mediation is always required by the Court when a case is proceeding and it appears that the parties cannot reach an agreement on some or all of the issues.  In order to find an alternative to costly and time consuming litigation, the courts require the parties to seek a mediator.

This section of our website, discusses some but not all of the issues which should be considered in a family case

What is Mediation?

Mediation is the process of bringing about a peaceful settlement or compromise between individual disputants through the objective intervention of an experienced impartial third party. The impartial third party, or mediator, interacts closely with both parties to work out a legally binding agreement based on both parties' needs and desires. The mediator does not make any decisions for you, only helps the parties reach their own agreement. The mediator may not force or impose a settlement. Decisions
are to be made voluntarily by the parties themselves. The mediator shall not coerce or unfairly influence a party into a settlement agreement. The mediator shall preserve and maintain confidentiality of all mediation meetings.

Why Divorce Mediation? 

.As we all well know, divorce is a very difficult time in the lives of all those involved.  Many decisions must be made.  There is usually a great deal of resentment, disappointment, sometimes anger and sadness.  This goes for the divorcing couple as well as their family members and especially if there are children involved.
Our office provides divorce mediation services for the couple wishing to reach an agreement they can live with during their separation and divorce. 
We also handle Mediation of Modifications, Child Support, Visitation, Custody, etc.

What are the benefits of Mediation?

If we are not fighting why do we need Mediation?

 If you are in total agreement ,than mediation will work even better for you. The Mediator will reduce your agreement to writing in the proper format that the court wants and complete all the necessary paper work to go along with it. Mediation is not just for people who do not agree. It is the most economical way to divorce and make sure that the court will accept your agreement. We prepare the Supreme Court approved forms along with your MSA or Mediation agreement and walk you through the process step by step.  We can even file the paper work at the court house for you for an additional fee. All fees do not include the Courts Filing fees which are required to file any case with the court. However depending on your income you may be able to make payments on the filing fees to the court. Please see attached link of all the court fees. Most county charge the same court fees.   

http://www.womenslaw.org/FL/FL_main.htm

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?Tab=statutes&submenu=1

Child Support Calculator

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Court Fees