2026 Florida Divorce Mediation Tool
Mediation is your best chance to settle your divorce on terms you help write. Our free tool walks you through each issue in your case, helps you decide what matters most, and builds a printable Mediation Guide to review with your attorney before mediation day.
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Preparing for Divorce Mediation
This tool, prepared by the divorce attorneys at TK Law, helps you prepare for divorce mediation or another family law mediation in Florida. It organizes what matters to you before divorce settlement discussions begin and produces your TK Law Mediation Guide.
About the TK Law Divorce Mediation Preparation Tool
The divorce attorneys at TK Law prepared this tool for people who are getting ready for divorce mediation or another family law mediation in Florida. It guides you through four steps: identifying the legal issues in your case and why each one matters to you, considering what the other party is likely to want, planning for the settlement discussion, and printing your TK Law Mediation Guide.
The tool is organized around the issues that a divorce settlement ordinarily resolves: parental responsibility, equitable distribution of assets and debts, alimony, the parenting plan and time-sharing schedule, child support, and attorney’s fees. You review the finished guide with your divorce attorney before mediation and keep it in front of you while the mediation takes place.
Questions About Divorce Mediation in Florida
What is divorce mediation?
Divorce mediation is a settlement process in which a neutral mediator helps the spouses try to reach a voluntary agreement on the issues in their divorce. The mediator does not represent either spouse, does not act as either spouse’s attorney, and does not decide the case.
What is family law mediation?
Family law mediation is the mediation of a family case. It includes divorce mediation, and it also includes mediation of cases that concern parental responsibility, time-sharing, child support, alimony, and the modification or enforcement of an earlier order or agreement.
How do I prepare for divorce mediation?
Identify the legal issues in your case. For each one, decide what you would like, why it matters to you, and where you have flexibility. Consider what the other party is likely to want and why. Gather the financial information you still need, and discuss your questions with your divorce attorney before the mediation. This tool takes you through each of those steps and prints the result.
What is a divorce settlement?
A divorce settlement is the written agreement in which the spouses resolve the issues in their divorce, such as the parenting plan, the division of property and debts, alimony, and child support. In Florida it is commonly called a marital settlement agreement. A signed settlement agreement may create binding obligations, so review the written terms with your divorce attorney before you sign.
Do I need a divorce attorney for mediation?
The mediator does not represent you and does not take the place of your attorney. A divorce attorney can explain your rights, help you evaluate a proposal before you respond to it, and review the written agreement before you sign it. This tool assists with preparation and does not replace legal advice.
What happens if mediation does not settle every issue?
The issues that are resolved may be placed in a written partial agreement. The issues that remain continue in the court case, and the parties may continue to negotiate.
Does this tool save or send my answers?
No. Your answers are not saved, and they are not transmitted to TK Law or to anyone else. When you finish, you print your TK Law Mediation Guide or save it as a PDF and send it to your attorney.
Speak With a Divorce Attorney at TK Law
TK Law represents clients in divorce and family law cases in Orange, Seminole, Volusia, and Osceola Counties, Florida. To speak with a divorce attorney about your mediation or your divorce settlement, call 407-834-4847.
How Our Mediation Preparation Tool Works
The tool takes you through four steps. First, you pick the legal issues in your case and explain what you want on each one and why. Second, you think through what the other party is likely to ask for. Third, you plan your approach: which issues you won’t move on, where you can compromise, and what information you still need. Finally, the tool puts your answers together into the TK Law Mediation Guide, which you print or save as a PDF. Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere. Once you close the page, your answers are gone, so print your guide before you leave.
The Five P.E.A.C.E. Categories
The tool sorts every issue into one of five categories that a Florida divorce settlement normally covers.
Parental Responsibility. How you and the other parent will make major decisions about your children, such as education and health care. Florida courts start from shared parental responsibility unless it would harm the child.
Equitable Distribution. How marital assets and debts are divided, including the home, retirement accounts, vehicles, credit cards and loans.
Alimony. Whether either spouse will pay support, and if so how much and for how long. Florida changed its alimony laws in 2023, and permanent alimony is no longer available in new cases.
Children and Time-Sharing. The parenting plan and time-sharing schedule: where the children live, holidays, exchanges, school breaks and travel.
Everything Else. Child support, the children’s expenses, attorney’s fees, insurance, taxes and any other issue specific to your case.
Questions about children appear only if your case involves minor children.
Inner Circle and Outer Circle Issues
Most people come to mediation knowing what they want but not what they would trade to get it. The tool asks you to place each issue in one of two circles. Inner Circle issues are the ones you won’t compromise on. Outer Circle issues are the ones where you have room to negotiate, sometimes only if you get something in return. When you know the difference before mediation starts, you are much less likely to give up something important under pressure, or to refuse a reasonable offer on something that matters less to you.
What to Bring to Divorce Mediation in Florida
Your preparation is only as good as your paperwork. Before mediation, gather:
- Your Florida Family Law Financial Affidavit, plus the other party’s if it has been served
- Recent pay stubs and the last two to three years of tax returns
- Bank, retirement and investment account statements
- Mortgage, loan and credit card statements
- A proposed parenting plan, if children are involved
- Your printed TK Law Mediation Guide
What This Tool Does Not Do
This tool helps you prepare, but it can’t tell you whether an offer is fair or what a judge would likely do. It doesn’t calculate support, value assets, or catch tax consequences hidden in a proposed agreement. It also can’t account for things only your attorney can judge, such as how a particular judge has ruled on similar issues, whether the other side’s financial disclosure is complete, or whether a “small” concession creates a large problem later. Florida mediation communications are generally confidential, but anything you sign at mediation can become binding. Review every proposed agreement with your attorney before you sign it.
Call TK Law for Award-Winning Divorce Mediation Help
Most contested family cases in Florida go to mediation before a judge will hear them, and many settle there. Our divorce attorneys prepare clients for mediation, attend mediation with them, and review every term of a proposed marital settlement agreement before it is signed. If mediation doesn’t settle every issue, we are ready to take the remaining issues to trial. TK Law represents clients in Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Osceola Counties. We offer evening appointments and payment plans. Call 407-834-4847 or contact our office to schedule your case evaluation.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Make Your Best Decision Today
STEP 2
Consultation
During your consultation we’ll review your options and see if we’re a right fit for you.
STEP 3
Representation
If we take on your case, you’ll be represented by the best.
Get Your Free Case Evaluation Today
The Orlando divorce lawyers at TK Law are deeply committed to the individuals and families they serve. We are here to help you resolve each legal concern so you can regain control and move forward with your life. You will also have a steadfast, accomplished advocate in your corner to fight for what matters most if a dispute goes to trial.
We know how overwhelming conflict can be and how painful it is to see a marriage end. We will guide you through this difficult process before, during and after your divorce.
Contact our offices today to schedule a confidential consultation with one or our family law attorneys, or call us at 855-572-6376.
OUR SERVICE AREAS
- Orange County
- Seminole County
- Volusia County
- Osceola County
407-834-4847
Disclaimer
The information found here is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any situation or individual case. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.