A Florida divorce mediation session typically begins with the mediator meeting jointly with both parties and their attorneys to explain the process and establish ground rules. From there, the parties may continue in joint session or separate into different rooms, with the mediator moving between them to carry proposals and responses. The mediator's job is to facilitate communication and help the parties identify where agreement is possible, not to evaluate the merits of either side's legal position. Sessions in Broward County generally run several hours, though complex cases sometimes require multiple sessions before all issues are addressed.
Anything discussed in mediation is confidential. Florida's mediation confidentiality statute prohibits the mediator and the parties from disclosing what was said during the session in any subsequent court proceeding. This protection encourages candid discussion and allows both sides to explore settlement options without fear that their statements will be used against them if the case goes to a hearing. For Hollywood residents working with a divorce mediation attorney, understanding this confidentiality protection helps them engage in the process more productively.
