When Florida couples are embroiled in a family law case related to divorce, child custody, support, property division or any other issue, there is a preconceived belief that the case will be rife with hard feelings and disagreement. This is especially true when there are children involved and both sides want to have the maximum time with the child after the divorce. Child custody and time-sharing are complex matters.
Combining the concerns about the future with the possibility of lingering ill will from the issues that strained and then doomed the marriage, it is easy to get into an acrimonious back and forth. However, for many, it is important to look at what the sides can agree upon and consider mediation as an option.
What should I know about mediation?
With mediation, parties can meet with the mediator and try to talk out their dispute. Often, once they calmly and rationally sit and discuss matters with a professional who understands how to smooth the waters, they find that there is more common ground than they thought. The mediator does not take sides. The primary objective is to seek solutions that both sides can live with and perhaps even be happy about.
Mediation is not binding meaning that if there is no agreement to be had, it will go to court and the judge will decide. People who are concerned about mediation sessions negatively impacting them in the future need not be. It is a private session and will be kept confidential. This can pave the way for honesty and might help the parties get beyond what they were holding in.
How can mediation help with child custody?
Children are trapped in the middle of their parent’s divorce. Both might want the child the bulk of the time. There could be problems with the living arrangements when the parents will see the child, schooling options, extracurricular activities and more. The mediation session can get each side to say what they want, help them with showing some level of flexibility and understanding that they cannot get everything and possibly forge an agreement that prevents a long court case. This might also save time and money and foster a positive communicative relationship between the parents.
Having professional help with mediation might forge workable solutions
In high-conflict cases, the parents might think they are doing what is best for the child. In most instances, they are doing little more than hurting the children. If the kids see their parents having a contentious divorce, they are statistically more likely to get divorced themselves when they grow up and get married. Reducing the temperature of the case can achieve positive results for everyone and that might be achieved by having an experienced family law mediator.