Mediation Services in Florida

What are mediation services?

One of the simple facts of life, in both business and personal relationships, is that occasionally disputes happen. For many people, the idea of settling disputes in court elicits stress, anxiety, and fear. Taking the court approach can be unnecessarily time-consuming, confusing, and costly. To avoid having to go to court to settle a dispute, many people elect to use mediation or other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Whether you are entering into an agreement with someone and you’d like mediation to be the preferred form of challenge resolution, or you are currently dealing with a dispute, The Florida Mediators can help. Here is an overview of the mediations services we offer throughout Florida.

What is arbitration?

Also a core component of ADR, arbitration also provides parties involved in a dispute with an efficient means of coming to a resolution.

There are fundamental similarities and differences when comparing arbitration and mediation. Much like mediation, the parties involved in the dispute chose a neutral third-party that they agree will oversee the arbitration. Where arbitration differs from mediation is in how the outcome is decided. In arbitration, the third-party reviews the case that has been presented by the parties involved in a dispute and then used the information gathered to conclude as to who prevails in the conflict.

There are two common types of arbitration, binding arbitration, in which neither party can easily appeal the decision and non-binding arbitration, where an appeal can be made.

How does mediation work?

Mediation is the most common form of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

In a setting where two parties decide to use mediation for dispute resolution, a neutral third-party is chosen by both parties. This individual is known as the mediator, and it is their responsibility to facilitate the mediation between both sides. In the real sense of ADR, the mediator negotiates with both sides and helps the parties reach a compromise where each party’s side of the dispute is satisfied. Every mediator has their unique style and approach to mediation, what is common among all professional mediators is the desire to help both parties find a common, satisfactory position that resolves a dispute.

Family Law Mediation

The Florida Mediators specialize in Family Law Mediation. Our mediators have expertise in family law and can help resolve relationship disagreements regarding marriage, separation, and divorce. We can also provide mediators to assist with matters involving children, like parenting and co-parenting schedules, alimony, and child support. For families with aging relatives, we offer mediation services for elder care, family budgeting, inheritances, family business succession, and many other family considerations.

Civil Mediation

A specific type of mediation that helps parties involved in a civil lawsuit is called Civil Mediation. Instead of going to trial, the parties agree to use the neutral third-party mediator to help reach an agreement regarding the lawsuit. The Florida Mediators employs mediators who have specialized training in handling civil mediation cases and can readily mediate civil cases, such as personal injury cases, home owners association matters and commercial disputes where one party is suing the other for money or compensation.

Probate Mediation

Probate Mediation can help simplify the distribution of an estate when a family member passes away. The mediator works closely with the deceased person’s heirs and beneficiaries to ensure that the intent of the last will is treated fairly and with respect.

In the case where no will was established, having a mediator who is highly proficient in probate cases will be a tremendous benefit as they can help all parties understand how the State and the courts would treat the deceased person’s estate and financial obligations.

Partnership Dissolution Mediation

Dissolving a business or partnership can often be an incredibly stressful experience. Involving the courts only adds to the complexities. Partnerships that go through the courts for dissolution can expect months or even years of court dates coupled with the mounting expenses of the professionals involved. Partnership dissolution mediation can shorten the process and dramatically reduce the cost of dissolving a business.

The professional partnership dissolution mediators at The Florida Mediators can help remove the anxiety and frustration involved in dissolving a partnership. With years of experience in business law, we work towards an ending where all parties had a voice, and everyone walks away knowing that the best possible solution was achieved.

Foreclosure Mediation

With the economic toll that the pandemic has taken on our housing industry, legislation has established many assistance initiatives to help those displaced. The housing market has been through turmoil, but at a glance you might not know it. Just because houses are selling for over asking price does not mean that there isn’t distress for renters who cannot make payments and landlords working to sustain their investment.

Foreclosures are on the rise, and mediation can help you avoid time and frustration. Partnering with us and we can help you uncover the solutions at the source of the conflict, and isolate ways in which we can alleviate the need to litigate.

Small Claims Mediation

Small claims can become big problems if you don’t have a mediator working to get both parties on the same page. The best part about mediation is the fact that you won’t be in a courtroom setting with a judge, which can be quite intimidating.

This allows for a neutral environment, where you, the other party involved, and the mediator can talk about the disagreement and work towards a mutual solution.

What Qualifies The Florida Mediators as Mediation Professionals?

While there is no formal requirement for a mediator to be a trained legal professional or attorney, the mediators at The Florida Mediators are all legal professionals. During the initial phase of mediation, if it is determined that having a mediator who is also an attorney would be beneficial, a mediator with the proper credentials will be selected.

Our mediators are highly trained in a wide array of legal fields, and we will always make sure that the mediator you work with is a subject matter expert in the area related to your case.

What Needs to Be Considered Before Using The Florida Mediators for Mediation Services?

There are many advantages to using mediation or alternative dispute resolution when settling a dispute. Using mediation is often much faster, less expensive, and has a high success rate. The Florida Mediators encourage anyone considering mediation or arbitration to be well informed in what the outcome of the proceedings means. This is especially true in the case of a binding outcome, where the parties might forfeit their options to present their case in a court once a decision has been reached.

The best way to decide on whether or not to use mediation or arbitration services would be right for your case is to take advantage of a free consultation from The Florida Mediators. In this no-obligation, no-risk meeting you will engage with one of our professional mediators who will explain the process and answer any questions you have.

Working with The Florida Mediators for Alternative Dispute Resolution

Alternative Dispute Resolution, mediation, and arbitration are convenient, time- and budget-saving tools that can be used in business, civil, family, and probate cases. The professionals at The Florida Mediators will help guide you through the process and along the way, make sure that everyone has a decisive voice in the outcome of the case.

Note: This article contains general legal information and does not include legal advice. For legal advice, please contact The Florida Mediators and request a consultation.