One of the biggest issues that a person faces after filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is quickly getting a Motion for Temporary Matters in front of a Florida Family Law Judge. This is because most Family Law Courts have such large caseloads that makes it nearly impossible to get hearing time in a prompt matter. The inability to have a resolution of temporary issues such as time-sharing, support, use of vehicles, attorney fees, and who resides in the marital residence can create animosity between the spouses.
On the other hand, if the spouses choose to try to resolve their temporary issues before our Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediators at Mediation of Coral Springs, Inc., it is possible to get to mediation in a timely matter.
In a large percentage of divorce cases, one spouse will withhold parenting time between the children and the other spouse immediately after the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is filed. This type of behavior is harmful to the parties’ minor children who are accustomed to spending time with both of their parents on a daily basis. Obviously, once a divorce case is filed, the children will not see both of their parents every day, but children need to know when they will get to spend time with mom and dad. Our Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediators understand that a regular schedule is imperative, so we able to assist the parties in putting together a Temporary Parenting Plan that is in the best interest of their children.
In addition, issues such as temporary support, use of vehicles, attorney fees, and who resides in the marital residence can cause a lot of stress for one or both parties.
At Mediation of Coral Springs, Inc. we have found that in a typical marriage, one of the parties has a significant higher earning capacity than the other so the lack of any temporary support can create a lot of stress. Further, it is important for the parties to be on an equal playing field when it comes to being represented by an attorney. Our Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediators routinely mediate a case where one of the attorneys has not been paid his or her retainer, so getting some temporary attorney fees is required.
It is our Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediators experience that parties will fight over who gets to drive which vehicle while their divorce case is pending and/or who will be responsible for making the car payment(s) and insurance. The same is true with who gets to reside in the marital residence on a temporary basis, but the ability to make the mortgage payment can be difficult for one of the parties.
Our Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediators at Mediation of Coral Springs, Inc. have the ability to make suggestions to the parties as to how to fashion a Temporary Mediation Agreement and Parenting Plan that both of the parties can live with until their divorce case has been finalized. By mediating at an early stage of litigation, the parties can hopefully resolve their temporary issues with the least amount of animosity.