Online Divorce Mediation in Florida
Are you heading towards divorce during the coronavirus pandemic? Are you social distancing and not wanting to risk infection by meeting for negotiations in person? Would you prefer to proceed with divorce without getting lawyers involved? Then Online Divorce Mediation may be the best option for you.
The Basics of Divorce Mediation
In Divorce Mediation, whether virtual or in person, you and your spouse together hire a neutral mediator. As the mediator, I cannot make any orders or force you into an agreement. Rather, I help facilitate an agreement between you and your spouse. I can use my general experience and knowledge of the law to provide you with information and help you develop options, though (because I am not acting in the role of a lawyer) I cannot provide legal advice.
Divorce Mediation is a voluntary process. This means that you or your spouse can end the mediation at any time for any reason or for no reason at all. You and your spouse are in control.
Divorce Mediation is also a confidential process. This means that anything that is said in Divorce Mediation, including any offer proposed by either spouse, cannot be used against you if the mediation were not successful and you decided to seek resolution in court.
It is up to you and, independently, your spouse, whether either of you want to use a lawyer. We advise all Divorce Mediation clients that they ought to have any agreement reviewed by a Collaborative Lawyer. However, it is not required. If you do not want an attorney, you do not have to hire one.
Online Divorce Mediation
Because of the coronavirus, judges are cancelling court hearings. The virus is pushing an already backlogged court system into new depths of delay. There are now even more reasons to seek out alternative dispute resolution options such as Online Divorce Mediation or Online Collaborative Divorce.
In Online Divorce Mediation, you do not need to leave your home. All you need to participate is a webcam or smartphone. You, your spouse, and me will virtually meet together, face-to-face, to address all issues related to divorce such as parenting time, division of assets and debts, spousal support, child support, and anything else you want to bring up.
There may be times during the Online Divorce Mediation where I place you and your spouse in separate virtual breakout rooms. I do this so that I can speak with you each separately, and so that you can use me as a soundboard to develop options. Whatever you say to me during these “breakouts” are private and confidential, and I will not relay anything to your spouse unless you give me permission.
We generally limit Online Divorce Mediation to 3-hour sessions, and most families are able to resolve all issues within two or three sessions. Once you have reached a full resolution, we can draft up an agreement. We can also help you fill out all documents that you need to finalize the divorce.
By the way, if you do not have a webcam or smartphone, we can always conduct the Divorce Mediation via telephone.
You Are Not Stuck In Your Marriage
You may be stuck in your home, but you do not need to be stuck in your marriage. Online Divorce Mediation permits you to resolve all matters related to divorce. You do this without having to attend meetings or hearings in person. The first step is to contact us and learn how we can help you.
By the way, we are now accepting Online Divorce Mediation matters from anywhere in the state of Florida.
Adam B. Cordover is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator. Adam has led workshops and trainings teaching ADR methods throughout the U.S., Canada, France, and Israel.
