You and your spouse have decided that it is in your and your children’s best interests for you two to separate. So far, things are amicable and you would like it to stay that way. If you need assistance negotiating a divorce, please read on, then contact an experienced Broward County divorce lawyer to learn if you should consider divorce mediation instead of litigation.
What is divorce mediation in Florida?
Mediation occurs when you and your spouse elect a neutral person, i.e. the mediator, to discuss openly the issues involved in the divorce such as custody of the children and parenting time, child support, division and distribution of the marital property, and alimony. The sessions usually last two hours. After the initial session, the couple attends three to eight one-and-a-half- to two-hour sessions in which the mediator will guide them to make their own decisions on how they wish to end their marriage.
Why should you consider divorce mediation instead of litigation?
By choosing divorce mediation instead of litigation, you increase the likelihood of a peaceful divorce. Such peaceful divorces offer the following benefits:
- Calmly discussing and deciding the terms of the divorce
- Divorcing without setting foot in court
- Keeping the costs of divorce as low as possible
Florida law sets the cost for court-connected mediation: $60 per person for each session when a couple’s annual income is less than $50,000 or $120 per person for each session when the combined income is more than $50,000 but less than $100,000. Conversely, the cost of divorce litigation in the Sunshine State can range from $5,000 to $30,000. If children are involved, the average cost is $13,500, but it may exceed $20,000. The state of Florida has no limit to the potential expenses you might incur.
How can a Broward County family law attorney help you?
As has been illustrated, engaging the services of a divorce mediator can save you much-needed time, stress and money. If you believe that you and your spouse can part on more or less amicable terms, then you should reach out to a skilled Broward County family law attorney to discuss your next steps. Our firm will fully apprise you of your rights and responsibilities and guide you through every step of the process. Life is too short to be unhappy. Give us a call today.
Contact Our Experienced Broward County Firm
If you require legal representation for matters of personal injury, family law, criminal defense, commercial litigation, or aviation litigation, look no further than The Finizio Law Group. Our firm has decades of combined experience representing clients from all walks of life, and we are here to put those years of experience to work for you as well. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with our team and to learn more about our services and how we can assist you.
