When going through a divorce, who gets custody of the children can turn into a heated debate among divorcing spouses. A long, drawn-out child custody battle can negatively impact the children involved. While it may be necessary to go through this, there are other options that could make it easier on you, your spouse, and the children.
There are many different ways that child custody is decided. One way is through child custody mediation, which can be done swiftly and smoothly with the help of an experienced family law and child custody attorney who will act as a mediator in the process.
Knowing if this process is right for you and your soon-to-be ex can save you time, money, and a long, drawn-out, and stressful custody battle.
Mediation Process for Child Custody
The mediation process is essentially this:
- You will meet with a mediator
- They’ll help you identify contested issues
- You and your mediator will discuss solutions
- You, your mediator, and your ex will reach a custody agreement
With the help of our firm, the experienced family law attorney will help you decide if mediation is right for you. At any point in a divorce, the parties involved, or the Court, may order a mediation to take place. Mediation refers to the process where the mediator stands in as a neutral third party and helps facilitate discussion among two parties.
Mediation is beneficial for some parties for a number of reasons, such as:
There is an acknowledgment that there will be understanding of compromise and resolution
Civil debate can take place between the two parties
Both parties feel heard and there should be an understanding of each others’ wants and needs
In terms of child custody mediation, there will be many questions that the mediator helps both parties come to an agreement on. In Florida, this person is referred to as a parenting coordinator. This person focuses on the child or children involved and seeks to help both parties resolve disputes through education, guidance, and recommendations. The coordinator will ask questions like:
What sort of arrangements and schedule does each party want?
How much (if any) child support will be paid?
Who will pay for education, uncovered medical bills, etc.?
How much life/health insurance for the child will be provided by either or both parents?
Children’s best interests and welfare should always be taken into consideration when mediating child custody arrangements almost two parties. After an agreement or compromise is made, a parenting plan will be drawn out to establish terms and responsibility.
When Mediation Is Right For You
In our experience, child custody mediation is right for those who are open to coming to an agreement that works best for both them and the other party. Sometimes, both parents in a divorce will have a difficult time deciding child custody. For a child custody mediation process, both parties should be willing to compromise on agreements in order for the process to move swiftly.
Not only does this benefit the parties involved, but it can help lessen the burden that some divorces have on the children involved. If you think this process is right for you, our firm can help you with the specifics of it and how it could apply to your specific divorce case.
How a Family Law Attorney Can Help You
Even with the understanding that comes from child custody mediation, there may still be some obstacles along the road. Our experienced child custody attorney can help you overcome them. If you’re in a child custody battle, don’t hesitate to contact our firm. We come prepared with years of experience aggressively advocating for our clients and their children.
Contact our firm at (863) 644-5566 for a no-fee consultation to discuss your child custody case today.