I am honored (and so excited) to share with you that I am now certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a FAMILY MEDIATOR. 

A Family Mediator Is: 

• A neutral and impartial guide/facilitator that helps you and the other party (typically in a divorce trial, pre-litigation) reach a settlement agreement that is satisfactory to both parties. 
• The mediator is trained to be unbiased, and show no favoritism to either party. 
• A professional who abides by the ethical standards for mediators approved by the Supreme Court of Florida. 

A Family Mediator is NOT: 

• He/she is not your therapist, nor your lawyer; your own lawyer cannot be your mediator in your case. 
• He/she is not a decision maker; you and the other party are making decisions for yourselves (called “self- determination”). 

What Happens in Family Mediation? 

• You can self- represent (“Pro Se”) or you can come with your lawyer; the other party will do the same. 
• You can speak up for yourself, even if your lawyer disagrees with you; it is you who ultimately makes the decisions. 
• The process of meditation is fully confidential; the mediator’s final report to the Judge will only specify if an agreement was fully/ partially/ or not reached at all ( called an “impasse”). 
• You must come prepared to negotiate on PEACE: 

– Parenting/Timeshare
– Equitable Distribution of Assets
– Alimony (if applicable)
– Child Support 
– Everything Else/Other Issues specific to your case. 

Family Mediation Benefits Are: 

• Parties make the decisions, versus a Judge. 
• It is mutually acceptable.  
• It is a personalized process. 
• It is a creative way to settle disagreements. 
• It is proactive and prevents/stops further litigation, which is financially debilitating for most people (tens of thousands of dollars in attorney fees). It saves you a lot of money. 
• It is balanced and informed. 
• It saves future psychological and emotional wear & tear, even abuse, as it happens during litigation. 
• It is empowering because you have the agency to influence the outcome, versus a Judge who doesn’t know you and your family circumstances or history. 
• It protects children from parental conflict and alienation. 
• It helps children and parents move on and settle into the new reconfiguration of their family with respect and dignity. 
• It can be emotionally healing. 
• The settlement reached in mediation is enforceable in Court.