Alternative Dispute Resolution Options To Resolving Family Law Issues
Litigating family legal issues in court can cost your family a lot of time, stress and money. For these reasons, Florida family law courts encourage parties to resolve disputes outside of the courtroom via an alternative dispute resolution method.
There are two main alternative resolution options available in Florida in lieu of litigation:
1. Mediation
In mediation, both spouses agree to meet in an informal environment with a neutral mediator. With the help of the third-party mediator, both parties attempt to negotiate a fair settlement agreement that is best for their respective situations. Although not mandatory, both parties typically have a family law attorney present to offer advice and guidance during the process.
2. Collaboration
Similar to mediation, both spouses work out an agreement outside of court. In collaboration, however, attorneys are present to represent each party.
Often, there are also professionals present to assist in the proceedings, including, but not limited to, counselors, financial experts, and child therapists.
Although both are less time consuming and less costly, there are pros and cons to each ADR method.
Collaboration, for instance, is unique in that if the parties do not resolve their case within the collaborative process, they cannot use their counsel to represent them in their litigation proceeding.
Reaching out to a family law attorney who can explain each method in greater detail is advised. A lawyer can also discuss which avenue may be more appropriate for your situation.
Skillful Guidance From An Experienced Family Law Team
At Pacheco Perez P.A., our lawyers have helped many families throughout Miami negotiate settlements out of court through ADR methods like mediation and collaboration.
Whether your dispute involves your children and timesharing or retirement asset division, we can offer the skillful guidance to protect your interests both in the short and long term.
While the attorneys at Pacheco Perez P.A. are not certified as collaborative lawyers, they do attempt to work collaboratively and try to reach an amicable resolution if the situation allows.
Let Us Help You
Collaborative law and mediation can take a significant amount of financial and emotional stress off your shoulders. Contact us today to learn more about each and how they could benefit you and your circumstances.
Call our Miami office today at 305-742-0063, or contact us online. Se habla español.