Mediation in Family Law
By K. Dean Kantaras and Maurice Q. Thurman
F or many families, the prospect
of a divorce invokes images of
an emotional and confrontational
legal battle involving protracted
and costly litigation. Thankfully, private
mediation is available as an alternative
to family court as a method of resolving
legal disputes. In fact, mediation is a key
component of family law that is now
mandatory in most Florida family law
cases.
Mediation is a confidential process in
which family law disputes can be settled
outside of court with the assistance of
a neutral mediator. Mediators receive
specialized training and are certified by the
Florida Supreme Court before participating
in the mediation process. Mediators
must also adhere to high standards of
professional conduct that are mandated
by the Florida Supreme Court. Many
mediators are licensed attorneys who
practice family law. However, mediators
may not offer participants legal advice,
cannot take sides, nor provide counseling
to families involved in mediation.
When a person elects to participate in
mediation, the participants must begin the
process by mutually selecting a mediator.
If the participants cannot mutually agree
on a mediator, one will be selected by the
court to mediate the family law dispute.
Many courts also offer mediation services
at a reduced cost for families who meet
certain income requirements.
The mediation process may be used to
142 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MAY/JUNE 2017
in comparison to in court litigation. Finally,
many mediators are skilled at presenting
participants with alternative perspectives
on family disputes. This is a helpful skill
that empowers participants to resolve
their legal matter without the necessity
of protracted court litigation.
K. Dean Kantaras is a certified family
mediator serving families throughout the
Tampa Bay area. For more information
on the Florida mediation process, contact
K. Dean Kantaras, P.A., (727) 781-0000, or
mediations@kantaraslaw.com. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: K. Dean Kantaras has been
licensed to practice law in Florida for more than
24 years. Mr. Kantaras is the managing partner
of K. Dean Kantaras, P.A., a firm handling cases
in family law and immigration. Mr. Kantaras
is board certified in marital and family law by
the Florida Bar, a distinction held by less than
1 percent of all attorneys licensed to practice
in Florida. He is “A” rated by Martindale-
Hubbell, the highest possible rating. He is a
member of the Supreme Court of the United
States, the United States Court of Appeals
for the 11th Circuit and Middle District,
The Florida Bar, and the Clearwater Bar
Association. Maurice Q. Thurman, Esq. is an
associate attorney at the firm. He is a member of
the Florida Bar, Clearwater Bar and Canakaris
Inn of Court. Their offices are located at
3531 Alternate 19, Palm Harbor, 34638,
(727) 781-0000 and 1930 East Bay Drive, Largo,
33771, (727) 544-0000, kantaraslaw.com.
LAARWT
K. Dean Kantaras, Esq.
settle all or some issues that are pending in
a family law case. If the mediation session is
successful in resolving one or more issues,
the mediator will assist the participants
in drafting a settlement agreement.
Alternatively, the participants may elect
to end the mediation at any time if the
session is not productive. At the conclusion
of the mediation, the mediator will file a
notice with the court describing the overall
outcome of the mediation session.
There are several advantages to resolving
family law disputes through mediation.
One major advantage of mediation is
that it offers participants the flexibility of
crafting a custom agreement that works
best for the participants and control over
the resolution of their case without court
intervention. Additionally, settlement
agreements that are reached during
mediation are enforceable by the court.
The issues discussed during mediation
are confidential, and therefore mediation
allows participants to speak openly and
frankly in order to resolve family disputes.
Another advantage to mediation is that
it is a more expeditious and cost effective
method of resolving family law disputes
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