FLORIDA DIVORCE MEDIATION • WITHOUT MINOR CHILDREN
Divorce Mediation
Without Minor Children
No children does not mean there is nothing to resolve. Mediation gives spouses a structured way to work through property, finances, debts, support and the other decisions necessary to move forward.
Mediation services only. I am a neutral mediator and do not represent either spouse or provide either spouse with legal advice.
A DIVORCE MAY STILL INVOLVE
Real Estate
Retirement Accounts
Bank Accounts
Debts & Credit Cards
Vehicles & Property
Alimony, When Applicable
These issues do not disappear simply because there are no minor children.
MEDIATION STILL MATTERS
Divorce without children can still involve important — and complicated — decisions.
Parenting issues may not be part of your divorce, but financial issues often are. You may still need to decide what happens to a marital home, divide retirement or bank accounts, allocate debts, address vehicles and personal property, or discuss whether alimony will be part of an agreement.
Mediation allows you to work through those issues together instead of assuming that every disagreement must immediately become a courtroom dispute.
A divorce does not need a parenting plan to benefit from communication, organization and negotiated solutions.
ISSUES WE CAN DISCUSS
What can be addressed in mediation?
Every marriage is different. Mediation can focus on the financial and practical issues that actually apply to yours.
Marital Home & Real Estate
Discuss whether property will be sold, retained by one spouse, refinanced, or otherwise addressed as part of an agreement.
Bank & Investment Accounts
Identify accounts and discuss how marital funds and investments may be addressed between the spouses.
Retirement Accounts
Discuss retirement assets such as pensions, 401(k)s, IRAs and other retirement benefits that may need to be considered.
Debts & Liabilities
Work through credit cards, loans, mortgages and other financial obligations and determine how they will be addressed.
Vehicles & Personal Property
Address cars, furnishings, household items and other property that may need to be divided or assigned.
Alimony
When spousal support is an issue, mediation can provide a structured setting for the spouses to discuss possible terms.
Insurance & Ongoing Expenses
Address appropriate transition issues involving insurance, recurring expenses or other continuing financial obligations.
Other Terms
If something matters to the two of you, it can be identified and discussed as part of the mediation process when appropriate.
The mediator does not provide legal, tax, investment or financial advice. Participants may obtain independent professional advice whenever appropriate.
ANOTHER OPTION TO CONSIDER
Could a Simplified Dissolution of Marriage be an option?
Florida provides a simplified divorce procedure for some couples who meet all of the required criteria.
One of the most important requirements is that the spouses have already worked out how their assets and liabilities will be divided and both agree with that division.
That is where mediation may be particularly useful.
SIMPLIFIED DIVORCE IS NOT AVAILABLE TO EVERY COUPLE
Florida's simplified procedure requires several conditions to be satisfied.
- The spouses agree the marriage cannot be saved.
- The applicable requirements concerning minor or dependent children and pregnancy are satisfied.
- The spouses have agreed on the division of assets and debts.
- Neither spouse is seeking alimony from the other.
- Both spouses are willing to give up the right to trial and appeal.
- Both spouses sign the joint petition.
- Both spouses are willing to attend the final hearing.
- Florida's residency requirement is satisfied.
All eligibility requirements must be met. Mediation itself does not determine whether a couple legally qualifies for simplified dissolution.
View Florida Courts Simplified Dissolution Form →HOW THE TWO MAY FIT TOGETHER
Mediation can help you determine whether you can reach agreement.
Identify the Issues
Determine what property, accounts, debts, support issues and other matters need to be addressed.
Mediate
Work through those issues in a structured setting and explore possible terms of agreement.
Document Agreement
Terms that are agreed upon can be reduced to writing for review and appropriate signatures.
Determine the Filing Path
If all simplified-dissolution requirements are satisfied, that procedure may be available. Otherwise, a regular dissolution process can still use the mediated agreement.
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
Mediation and simplified divorce are not the same thing.
Mediation
Mediation is a process for discussing issues and attempting to reach agreements. It can be used in many different types of Florida divorce cases.
Simplified Dissolution
Simplified dissolution is a specific Florida court procedure available only when the spouses satisfy all of its eligibility requirements.
You can benefit from mediation even if you do not qualify for a simplified divorce.
THE MEDIATION PROCESS
How it works
A straightforward process designed to help you work through one issue at a time.
Free Consultation
Learn how mediation works and whether the process appears appropriate for your situation.
Prepare
Identify the issues and gather relevant financial records, statements and other information.
Meet by Zoom
Participate virtually from separate locations and work through each issue in a structured discussion.
Explore Options
Discuss possible solutions without the mediator imposing a decision on either spouse.
Document Agreements
Agreed terms can be reduced to writing for review and, when appropriate, signature.
NOT ALL OR NOTHING
Even a partial agreement can move the case forward.
Mediation can still have value even if every issue is not resolved.
Complete Agreement
If all necessary issues are resolved, the spouses can document a complete settlement.
Partial Agreement
Issues that are resolved can be documented while unresolved issues remain for later resolution.
No Forced Outcome
Neither spouse is required to accept a proposal simply because mediation is taking place.
STRAIGHTFORWARD PRICING
$225 / hour
Mediation is generally scheduled in two-hour blocks.
A two-hour mediation session is $450 total.
When divided equally, that is typically $225 per spouse.
No large retainer. Additional sessions are scheduled only when needed.
View Full Pricing →MY ROLE
Neutral mediator.
Not either spouse's attorney.
My role is to organize the discussion, identify the issues, facilitate communication and help both spouses explore possible resolutions.
I do not represent either spouse, advocate for one side, tell either spouse what they should accept, or provide legal advice.
Either spouse may consult an independent attorney, accountant, financial professional or other advisor whenever appropriate.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Divorce without children FAQ
Why would we need mediation if we do not have children?
Divorce can involve much more than parenting issues. Spouses may still need to address real estate, retirement accounts, bank accounts, vehicles, debts, personal property, alimony and other financial matters. Mediation provides a structured way to work through those issues.
Can we mediate before either of us files for divorce?
Yes. Couples can use mediation before filing a divorce case to determine whether they can resolve some or all of the issues that would otherwise need to be addressed during the court process.
Do we need attorneys?
No. Spouses may participate in mediation without attorneys. Either person remains free to obtain independent legal advice before, during or after mediation.
What is a simplified divorce in Florida?
Florida has a Simplified Dissolution of Marriage procedure for couples who satisfy all of the requirements established for that process. Among other requirements, the spouses must already agree on the division of their assets and debts, and neither spouse may be seeking alimony.
Does having no children automatically qualify us for simplified divorce?
No. Having no applicable minor or dependent children is only one part of the eligibility requirements. Florida's simplified procedure has additional requirements that must all be satisfied.
Can mediation help us qualify for a simplified divorce?
Mediation may help spouses reach the property and debt agreements required for a simplified dissolution, but mediation does not itself establish eligibility. The couple must still satisfy every requirement for the simplified procedure.
What if one of us is seeking alimony?
Alimony can still be discussed in mediation. However, Florida's simplified dissolution procedure is not available when either spouse is seeking alimony from the other.
What if we cannot agree on everything?
Mediation is not necessarily all or nothing. Issues you do resolve may be documented in a partial agreement while the remaining issues are addressed separately.
START WITH A CONVERSATION
No children does not mean you need to navigate the divorce alone.
Schedule a free consultation to learn how mediation works, discuss the process and determine whether it may be appropriate for your situation.
Schedule a Free Consultation Virtual mediation available throughout Florida.