Mediation Can Help Resolve Child Time-Sharing Disputes
Child custody disputes can be extremely stressful, and most people experience intense emotions throughout the process. Mediation is a means of alternative dispute resolution that could potentially help parents reach a resolution in a child custody battle. If you are involved in a child time sharing dispute in Florida, please contact an experienced Orlando child custody attorney to learn more about how mediation might be able to help you.
What are the Benefits of Mediation?
Mediation offers several important benefits, many of which are particularly well suited to resolving issues involving parents and their children. Specifically, these benefits include:
- An efficient process, both in terms of time and cost;
- Complete privacy, as mediation can be fully confidential;
- Control, with many opportunities for flexibility; and
- A collaborative atmosphere that can lead to amicable solutions for you and your family.
Mediation can be quicker, less costly, and can be conducted in a relatively ‘friendly’ manner. It is an especially useful method of alternative dispute resolution for child custody and time sharing disputes because it encourages the parties to work together to find solutions that will help maintain future relationships. It is important for the mental health and emotional development of children that their parents are able to find mutually agreeable family law solutions. With all that in mind, it is still important to recognize that your parental interests must always be fully protected. Mediation is about finding the common ground where it exists, and reaching compromises that will benefit you and your family. However, when the opportunity for a desirable result does not exist during mediation, your child custody attorney will protect you. Your attorney will be able to help you find other legal solutions that better suit your needs.
Child Custody: How Does the Mediation Process Work?
In Florida, your child custody mediation will typically include you, the other parent, attorneys for each side, and a mediator. The mediator is a third party who is there to help the two sides come together to find an agreement. Generally, the mediator will set the stage by introducing everyone and giving the parties a basic overview of the process. From there, each side will have a chance to give an opening statement. The mediator will usually ask some questions of each side, and there will be joint discussions that will encourage the parties to negotiate the issues. There will also often be private meetings between the mediator and the separate parties. The nature of each mediation will vary depending on the issues and the flow of the negotiation. When progress is being made on an issue, usually the parties and the mediator will continue to focus on that concern in an effort to work towards an agreement. When things begin stall, the mediator may look to change the process and try other tactics. During mediation, it is always critical to have an experienced attorney by your side.
Need Legal Assistance?
Child time sharing disputes are unique, your family needs individualized attention. For some situations, mediation can be the right solution. At the Law Offices of Steve W. Marsee, P.A., our compassionate legal team will help your family through any difficult issues. We work hard to help you and your family find amicable solutions for your child custody issues, but we will always aggressively protect your parental rights. If you have any questions about child custody and mediation, please contact our Orlando office today for more information.
