Many people in Florida who are getting ready to pursue a divorce case may believe that they are in for a significant legal fight. However, the depiction of divorce cases on TV or in movies is hardly the most common way that these cases are handled. In fact, most divorce cases proceed because the parties are willing to negotiate and discuss potential out-of-court options for reaching an agreement on how divorce issues should be addressed. One option is mediation.
In mediation, the soon-to-be ex-spouses agree to have a neutral third-party help them negotiate the terms of a potential divorce settlement. In most divorce cases there are common issues that need to be addressed, although the facts of any given case can vary widely. For example, most divorcing couples must figure out how to address property division and alimony, and possibly child custody and child support as well. If the couple chooses to participate in mediation, these issues can be addressed more informally, with the mediator serving as a person who can offer potentially creative solutions if the parties run into roadblocks in their discussions.
If the parties reach a resolution in mediation, that agreement is still subject to approval from the family law court in which the divorce case was filed. However, as long as the agreement reached in mediation is reasonable and is fair to both sides, it is usually likely that it will be approved by the judge.
Not all divorce cases are courtroom brawls. The reality is oftentimes quite different. Couples in Florida who are going through a divorce may benefit from considering mediation.
