by Tom | Jun 2, 2016 | News
We will help you cover all the divorce and family related mediation issues you need to address. These may include:
Parenting
- Decision-Making
- Living Arrangements
- School
- Activities
- Religion
- Health concerns
- Parenting Schedule
- Long Term/Interim Arrangements
- Vacations
- Holidays
- Travel
- Communication
- Relocation
- Third Party/Grandparents’ Access
Division of Assets & Liabilities
- Asset Identification
- Asset Valuation
- Asset Distribution
- Liabilities Identification
- Liabilities Distribution
- Non-marital Property
- Personal Property
- Marital Residence
- Sale
- Buy-out
- Refinancing
- Foreclosure
- Quit claim
- Timing
- Rental Property
- Stocks, Bonds, Stock Options
- Retirement Assets/Deferred Income
- Defined Contribution Plans
- Defined Benefit Plans
- Life Insurance
- Family-Owned Business
- Valuation and Disposition
Child Support
- Child support Guidelines
- Private School Tuition
- Medical Insurance
- Prior to Divorce
- Post Divorce
- Non-covered Medical Expenses
- Extraordinary Expenses
- Child Care
- Children’s Activity Expenses
- College Expenses
- Children’s Accounts
Alimony
- Budgeting
- Duration
- Amount
- Modifiable or Non-Modifiable
- Termination
Taxes
- Filing Status – Single, Married – Filing Joint or Separate
- Refunds/Liabilities
- Dependency/Exemption
Other Family Issues
- Pre- and Post-Nuptial Agreements
- Agreements Between Life Partners
- Paternity – Establishment, Support, Visitation
- Cohabitation Disputes
- Step and Blended Family Disputes
- Special Needs Cases, Such as Disabilities, Competency, Etc.
- Agreements Between Children Regarding the Care of Their Parents
- Will and Probate Disputes
by Tom | Jun 2, 2016 | News
Mediation time spent meeting with the couple is billed at an hourly rate that is much less than the hourly rate for a single divorce lawyer – and each side usually hires a lawyer. The typical hourly rate for divorce lawyers in Tallahassee/Panama City is $300 per hour. Fewer hours are needed for the mediation process; hence lower cost because the focus is on agreement and resolution rather than preparing for litigation and fighting it out in court. Typically, the mediation process will take between two and six hours depending upon the issues and personalities of the parties. The total cost is much less than the retainer would be for just one divorce lawyer. The typical up-front retainer in Tallahassee/Panama City is at least $3,000. There is no retainer for divorce/family law mediation. In the event the services of additional professionals (accountants, appraisers, etc.) are needed, their fees would be in addition to any mediation.
Payment for mediation services is expected at the conclusion of the session regardless of settlement or impasse.
Sliding Scale:
I am willing to offer special rates (Sliding Scale) based on ability to pay. when the parties are represented by an attorney from Legal Aid, Legal Services of North Florida, or parties who represent themselves (pro se). Call for details.
Standard Fee Schedule
-
- There is a two (2) hour minimum ($250.00 due from each party) charge for cases reserved for a half a day or less. Details will be provided to each party prior to mediation in the “Mediation Confirmation, Fee, and Disclosure Statement”. (Revised 02/10/2021)
by Tom | Jun 2, 2016 | News
Mediation varies in length depending on the complexity of the issues involved, the readiness of the couple and the willingness of the couple to work together. While it can take as little as one session, the average length of time it takes to reach an agreement is two to four sessions. Each session is typically about two hours. Mediation is time-limited; it does not drag on indefinitely.
With a complete Marital Settlement Agreement, the divorce can be filed and finalized in a matter of weeks instead of months or longer. A divorce by mediation will be less stressful, adversarial and harmful than a litigated divorce case – not only to you but also to your children. You save money, time and emotion.
by Tom | Jun 2, 2016 | News
The first step is to call for a free consultation to see if divorce mediation is right for you. This consultation is generally a half-hour video conference. This consultation will help you understand the mediation process, how it works, how we get to a mediated settlement agreement, the court process for obtaining a divorce, and get your questions answered. Tom will be glad to provide your spouse with the same information.- Then you schedule an initial session convenient for both you and your spouse. Even if you have already started the legal process by filing for divorce (with or without attorneys), you can still benefit from the cost and time savings by mediating your divorce to an agreement. Mediation will be required by the judge anyway.
- Tom will advise you of what will be covered in your first session and any preparation or documents that will need to be brought to the mediation.
- Tom will help you have the difficult but necessary conversations you need to have. With his help, you’ll clarify the issues and explore your options. Then you will be able to evaluate which ones best serve both of your needs and interests so that you can reach agreements that work for both of you.
by Tom | Jun 2, 2016 | News
The mediated marital settlement agreement is necessary in order to obtain an uncontested divorce in Florida. However, it is only one of a dozen or more documents that must be carefully prepared and filed in order to get to a final hearing and obtain the divorce.
As part of the service offered to couples seeking a divorce, I work with someone who specialized in preparing the necessary documents. For an additional flat fee, they will prepare the required papers and documents for the court. All you will need to do is file with the appropriate court.
Tom began providing this service at the request of his clients who found the court process confusing, frustrating, and sometimes overwhelming. Worrying about getting all the papers right is the last thing you need to have on your mind during this stage in your life. Also, the clients reported they sometimes wound up spending more for an attorney to do this work than the mediation cost.
by Tom | Jun 1, 2016 | News
Mediation and Attorneys
Trust Us with Your Mediation Services in Tallahassee & Panama City, FL
People frequently want to consult an attorney when a separation or divorce seems to be a reality. Mediation is not a substitute for the services of an attorney; it is an alternative to the same end – without the high cost in time, money and emotion. Although Steve is an attorney, as your mediator he will not represent or give legal advice to you or your spouse. Most couple will complete the mediation process without ever finding the need to consult with an attorney.
Do We Need an Attorney?
• Before mediation – Steve encourages any party who has a specific legal question or issue that is significant in the divorce planning process to consult with an attorney before the mediation so that the party will be informed about the particular right or obligation that will ultimately become part of the settlement agreement.
• During mediation – If an issue comes up for which a party wants specific legal advice, Steve encourages the party to consult an attorney for the answer. During mediation, we may have a general discussion of legal principles or topics, but not specific advice to a particular party.
• After agreement – When the parties have reached a mediated settlement agreement, they are encouraged to take it to an attorney for review although there is no requirement to do so.
• Court system – Since filing for divorce involves the court system which can be frustrating to deal with and a number of documents must be prepared and filed in order to obtain a divorce, we can prepare and file all of the required documents and all you will need to do is appear at the final hearing.
When you consult with an attorney, we encourage you to work with your attorney as counsel or as a consultant rather than as a zealous advocate. The difference in deciding to use mediation is that you now make the decisions that will affect your life. An hour of an attorney’s time may be all you need to answer the questions you may have.
What if I’ve already been to an Attorney?
Even if you have already been to an attorney or even paid a retainer, simply advise the attorney that you want to mediate your divorce instead of litigating it. The attorney can advise you as to any specific issues before or during the mediation. The attorney can appear with you at mediation although it is generally better (and cheaper) to use the attorney as a consultant rather than as an advocate. You are not paying the high hourly rate for the attorney if he is not there. Also, unless both parties are represented at the mediation, the unrepresented party will often feel at a disadvantage and agreement is harder to achieve.
What if we need the help of other professionals?
If issues arise during mediation that require the expertise of other professionals such as financial planners, CPAs, actuaries, business valuation experts, and other specialists, they can be called upon as needed.
