Seminole Mediation Program

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MISSION

Family mediation's purpose is to provide an impartial mediator who helps divorced or separated people to make decisions about their children, finances and property. A mediator usually meets and talks with all parties together, but may meet with them separately. They may then talk with each party privately. The mediator will separate the issues and facts in dispute from the issues and facts not in dispute. Settlement options designed to meet each party's goals and interests are developed and discussed with the parties. Settlement discussions are confidential, legal proceedings. Mediation is concluded when the parties sign an agreement or when they cannot agree on any solution. An agreement is reached in the majority of cases and future litigation is not necessary. A trained mediator has a neutral role in helping couples to negotiate an agreement, and the decisions made are their own. Mediation is a unique process and does not involve counseling or therapy. Nor is it arbitration where a third party makes the decisions. Mediators do not provide legal advice. When people reach agreements it is more sustainable than Court Orders. Family Mediation offers couples seeking dissolution of marriage (divorce) the opportunity to determine and control the terms of their settlement. It reduces the emotional stress and trauma of the adversarial environment of the courtroom. Mediation provides a Supreme Court certified family mediator, as a neutral third party to guide couples through the issues of conflict. The mediator is dedicated to reaching a mutual written agreement and does not favor one party over the other.

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PLEASE NOTE: The information displayed in this section has been obtained from various sources. In no way should any information obtained here be taken as legal advice. If you are in need of legal assistance please contact your attorney. If you can not afford an attorney please contact your local Legal Aid office.

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WHAT IS MEDIATION?
Mediation is a form of "alternative dispute resolution". You are going to hear a lot more about this concept in the future as the costs of litigation continue to rise and the availability of Judges and Courtrooms are increasingly strained. Basically, the parties in a potential divorce situation agree to submit the issues of their case to a mediator. The parties give permission to the mediator to discuss the issues and to encourage the parties to compromise. The role of the mediator is significantly different from that of an attorney. An attorney cannot represent both parties, as is sometimes thought. By law an attorney is an advocate of the rights of only one party in a dispute. Often a family law case is resolved by settlement using only one attorney, but that attorney is ethically bound to represent the interests of only one of the parties. In the case of mediation, a mediator represents neither party and both parties have to agree that the mediator is not acting in the role of an attorney.

The mediation conferences are conducted at the Seminole County Downtown Civil Courthouse, 301 North Park Avenue, Second Floor, Sanford, Florida. Depending on the combined income of the parties and/or if the combined income exceeds the statutory limit, a private mediator will conduct the mediation. Mediation can take place over several meetings. This can be because documents or other evidence are required for the mediator to fully understand the issues of the case. Once all the facts are determined and parties have acknowledged the legal concepts applicable to their case, negotiations take place to attempt to resolve all issues. There are unusual circumstances where some cases are not suited for mediation and are generally recognized by the Court upon Motion. Cases that involved spousal abuse, child abuse or serious child custody issues can be mediated through our mediation program. Consequently, security is provided if required and/or needed.

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CONTACT SEMINOLE MEDIATION DEPARTMENT

Seminole County Courthouse
301 N. Park Avenue
Sanford, FL 32771
407-665-4244

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Most Requested Forms

Family and Civil Courts

• FAMILY FORMS (From Supreme Court)
  DIVORCE FORMS (Seminole County)
  FORECLOSURE MEDIATION (Brevard)
  FORECLOSURE MEDIATION (Seminole)
  FLORIDA SUPREME COURT (JOSHUA)
  FLORIDA RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
  FLORIDA STATUTES AND CONSTITUTION
  DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT
  FLORIDA BAR ASSOCIATION FAMILY LAW SECTION
  LOCAL PRACTICE MANUALS
  

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