Couples getting divorced in Orange, Seminole or Osceola County, Florida who are unable to resolve issues regarding property, support, or child custody will be required to attend mediation before their divorce trial. Mediation is an opportunity for the parties to attempt to resolve their issues prior to litigation.
A trained family law mediator will act as a neutral party to facilitate and encourage a resolution of any contested issues. Although Orlando area mediators are not required to have a legal background, many are attorneys. The mediator cannot give legal advice or predict the outcome of your case if it were to go to trial. However, an experienced mediator may be able to provide an objective view of the risks or rewards of accepting a negotiated settlement as opposed to going to trial.
Both parties must attend mediation. Because it is a confidential meeting, neither side may tell the judge what the other side was willing to offer during the mediation. This allows both sides to present their best settlement offer with the goal of reaching a resolution and saving considerable time and money.
Whether or not your divorce has contested issues, you will want to rely on an experienced family law divorce attorney to make sure your best interests are protected. Please contact the Law Office of Wade P. Luther, P.A. to schedule an initial consultation. We can be reached by email or by calling (407) 835-9900.