Legal Question in Family Law in Florida
Mediation
For a Modification of Visitation/Modification of Child Support, do you have to attend Mediation? Does it look bad if you don't? Do you have to file paperwork to avoid Mediation?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Mediation
Hello:
In response to your question, I can only advise what the Judges do in North Fla. You didn't state what part of Fla. your case is seated. You have to first file a Petition to modify, then file a Motion to set for trial (where your are simply going to see the judge to obtain a court date). Usually, the court will order the parties to mediation before the trial. This gives parties a chance to settle the case.
When you settle at mediation, you avoid the risk of not knowing what the judge would order if you went to trial. Also, you save money by not having to pay your lawyer to prepare for and attend then trial. I tell clients it takes a lot of stress/worry away that you would have waiting for a trial and attending the trial. Of course, I wouldn't advise a client to concede more than they want at mediation just to avoid the trial, but mediation does benefit the parties.
'Hope this helps. Good luck. Tom Rosenblum