When Is Mediation Required Before A Broward County Family Court Hearing?
If you have a family law case moving through the Broward County court system, you have probably heard the word mediation more than once. But what does it actually mean, and is it something you can skip? These are fair questions, and the answer depends on the type of dispute you are facing.
What Is Family Law Mediation?
Mediation is a structured conversation between two parties, guided by a neutral third party called a mediator. Rather than presenting arguments to a judge, you and the other party work toward a resolution you both find acceptable. Is that always possible? Not always, but many families find that mediation opens doors that litigation tends to close.
When Florida Courts Require Mediation
Under Florida law, courts may refer parties to mediation in any proceeding where parental responsibility, primary residence, time-sharing, or child support is contested. In practice, this means that if you and the other parent cannot agree on how to raise your child after separation, a Broward County judge will often send your case to mediation before scheduling a contested hearing.
Why take this approach? Judges generally prefer that parents shape their own parenting arrangements whenever it is safe to do so, since parents usually understand their children and daily routines better than a court ever could. Mediation gives you a voice in the outcome, rather than leaving those decisions entirely to a judge meeting your family for the first time in a courtroom.
There are exceptions. If there is a documented history of domestic violence, a party may ask the court not to refer the case to mediation, and the court must give that request serious consideration. Every case carries its own facts, so what applies to one family may not apply to yours.
What Happens If Mediation Does Not Resolve Everything
Does mediation guarantee a resolution? No. If you and the other party reach an agreement on some or all of the contested issues, that agreement is typically written up and submitted to the court for review and approval. If you cannot agree, the unresolved issues move forward to a hearing. Even partial agreements can narrow what a judge actually needs to decide, which can shorten the process and reduce costs for everyone involved.
Preparing for mediation matters just as much as attending it. Walking in with a clear sense of your priorities, along with realistic expectations about what a judge might order anyway, can make the entire process far more productive.
Contact Our Team Today
Family court mediation can feel unfamiliar, and it is natural to wonder whether you are approaching it the right way. If you have a contested family law matter moving through Broward County, our Fort Lauderdale family mediation attorneys at the office of Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. are ready to talk with you about what to expect. Contact us today to find out how we can help you prepare for the road ahead.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.183.html
