Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where a neutral third party (the mediator) helps you and the other party communicate and negotiate to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Unlike court, mediation is collaborative and focused on finding solutions and reaching an agreement that works for everyone.

The agreements you reach in mediation can be made legally binding once they are signed by both parties and submitted to the court for approval, and entered (signed) by the judge. If you have an attorney representing you, they will help you to get the agreement finalized. If neither party is represented, finalizing your agreement is procedural, and the mediator may be able to guide you on how to finalize your agreement(s). 

Hendrix Mediation Service, LLC currently only mediates cases in the area of family law. This area includes issues such as dissolution (divorce) agreements, parenting plans, child support, spousal support (alimony), complex asset division, post-divorce modifications, co-parenting disputes, and relocations. 

The length of time a mediation might last depends on you and your case. An initial divorce with multiple issues will likely take longer to resolve than a modification of an agreement. Keeping that in mind, we offer half-day mediations (typically 3 to 4 hours) and full day mediations (typically 7 to 8 hours.) If the mediation process is going to take longer, you can schedule multiple sessions.

The cost of mediation varies depending on the length of the session. Most mediations last between 3 and 6 hours. To get a good understanding of the full costs involved with scheduling and attending mediation, please review the Rates & Fees and Cancellation Policy sections.

Yes. Except where required by law, all mediation sessions and any communications during the mediation process are confidential and cannot be used as evidence in court if mediation does not resolve the parties dispute. Further, the mediator cannot be called as a witness in court to testify.  

Mediation is a voluntary process. Both parties must be in agreement to participate in the process for it to work. However, Florida Statutes provides that a court may refer the parties to participate in mediation in family law cases. 

Yes you can bring your attorney with you to mediation. Pursuant to the Rules regulating professional Mediators in Florida, mediators are not permitted to provide the parties with legal advice before, during, or after the mediation, even if they are a licensed attorney. Therefore, if you are looking to receive legal advice during this process, it is always best to have met with an attorney and determine if you need representation for your family law matter. 

Yes. Pre suit mediation is available and may provide parties with the ability to tackle sensitive areas in multiple shorter sessions, resulting in an overall less stressful situation. However, the agreement is not binding until both parties have signed it and the court accepts and enters the agreement.  

It is helpful for you to gather all relevant documents and bring them with you to mediation for use during the process. These items may include financial records such as pay stubs, tax documents, retirement fund statements, recent bank statements, and prior court orders or agreements if you are trying to modify an existing order. If you are represented by an attorney they will guide you on what records you need to bring. If you are self-represented, required financial disclosure and other Family Law Forms can be found at:   https://www.flcourts.gov/Resources-Services/Office-of-Family-Courts/Family-Court-in-Florida/Family-Law-Forms   Other resources are available for your use under Resources in our drop-down menu.