Russell G Marlowe, PA - Pasco County Divorce Attorney

What is mediation?

Mediation is a way to resolve your divorce or other family law dispute which lets you keep full control of the outcome. The only people making decisions are those involved in the dispute, unlike arbitration or litigation where a judge or an arbitrator makes the final decision. Any resolution reached a mediation is the result of the agreement of the parties. The mediator does not decide any issue, but rather the mediator works with the parties to find an amicable resolution of some or all of the issues.

Russell G. Marlowe is a Florida Supreme Court Family Law mediator. As an attorney, he has participated in hundreds of mediations. Please contact our office if you wish to inquire about having Mr. Marlowe mediate your case. Please note however, that the role of the mediator is different from that of an attorney, and as a result of confidentiality rules, if your mediation is unsuccessful, Mr. Marlowe would be precluded from serving as an attorney for either party in the dispute.

How do I prepare for mediation?

Divorce mediation is most efficient when you come to your mediation session prepared with some basic information. The better informed you are about your assets, liabilities, children's schedules, and your goals for the outcome of your situation, the more progress we can make in your mediation session.

How do mediation costs compare to divorce litigation costs?

Do you really want to spend your children's college education account, your vacation money, and the full value of your home on your divorce? Consider divorce mediation as a lower-cost, lower-stress alternative. In almost every case, the Court will order mediation prior to scheduling a trial.

Do I need a lawyer to represent me from start to finish in my divorce mediation?

If you've been kept in the dark about your finances throughout your marriage, if you’ve been the victim of domestic violence, or there is an extreme imbalance of power in your relationship, you should probably see a lawyer before beginning mediation or any divorce proceedings.

When should I speak to a lawyer? Before, during or after mediation?

When you speak to a lawyer is mostly a matter of personal preference. Some people consult with a lawyer just once or twice, and others hire a lawyer to represent them before and during the mediation. Plenty of people wait until an agreement has been drafted, then take the agreement and financial disclosures to a lawyer to review to make sure it's fair under the circumstances.

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