Tampa Divorce Mediator

Alternatives to Litigation for Florida Divorces

At Reineke Mediations, our Tampa attorney/mediator Beth Reineke knows the advantages of mediation soundly outweigh litigating a Florida divorce. Beth, a Florida Supreme Court Certified Divorce Mediator, draws on over 30 years of experience litigating, mediating, and settling divorce cases in Hillsborough County.

After seeing the damage litigation can do without resolving the underlying disputes and witnessing the positive outcomes of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), attorney/mediator Reineke decided to stop litigating divorce and custody cases and focus entirely on litigation alternatives like Pre-Suit Divorce Mediation using virtual and in-person sessions that produce actual results — including exceptional outcomes designed for the just over 387,000 people who call the city of Tampa home.

Pre-Suit Divorce Mediation and other Pre-Suit Family Mediations strongly emphasize preserving and improving communication between parties to minimize conflict, foster positive relationships, and alleviate apprehensions about the future.

Whether you and your spouse both live in Florida or if one spouse lives out of state or out of the country, our skilled Hillsborough County mediator offers in-person and virtual ADR sessions. These sessions facilitate productive discussions between couples, helping them reach mutually acceptable solutions to all their unique divorce and family-related issues, including child custody, spousal support, property division, and more.

To learn more, call (813) 205-6675 or contact us online for a free telephone consultation.

Reineke Mediations: Florida Supreme Court Certified Divorce Mediator – Areas of Focus

Attorney Beth Reineke is a highly qualified professional who brings a unique combination of skills and experience to her divorce and family law practice. With degrees in both finance and law, she is well-equipped to handle even the most complex financial situations that often arise during the divorce process.

Reineke has been a licensed attorney in Florida since 1990, and from 1997 to 2015, she focused exclusively on divorce and family law litigation. During this time, she was one of fewer than 20 Florida Bar Board Certified Divorce and Family Law Litigators in Tampa, and less than 300 statewide, demonstrating her expertise in the field.

In 2015, Reineke made a strategic decision to shift her practice towards alternative dispute resolution methods, such as Pre-Suit Divorce Mediation, Parent Coordination, Family Arbitration, and Collaborative Divorce. This move reflects her commitment to helping families find more amicable and cost-effective solutions to their legal issues.

Since 1997, Reineke has been certified by the Florida Supreme Court to conduct mediations for divorces and other family law matters. Her extensive experience, coupled with her training in various alternative dispute resolution techniques, makes her a valuable resource for couples seeking to resolve their differences without the stress and expense of traditional litigation.

Tampa attorney/mediator Beth Reineke is now engaged full-time as a neutral in:

• Divorce Mediation.
• Pre-Suit Divorce Mediation.
• Uncontested Divorce Mediation.
• Collaborative Divorce Mediation.
• Cooperative/Amicable Divorce Mediation.
• Property Division Mediation.
• Alimony Mediation.
• Child Visitation Mediation.
• Shared Parenting/Co-Parenting Mediation.
• Parent Coordination.
• Child Support Mediation.
• Post-Judgment Modification Mediation.
• Court Ordered/Attorney Assisted Divorce Mediation.

Beth Reineke, an experienced courtroom lawyer, offers a unique advantage in mediation by combining legal expertise, financial acumen, and practical wisdom – qualities that set her apart from non-attorney mediators. When you choose Reineke Mediations, you’ll discover the numerous benefits of mediation and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). In most cases, Tampa couples who opt for pre-suit and uncontested divorce mediations with Reineke Mediations can expect to reach a resolution and sign agreements usually within a streamlined four to six-week period. Contact Reineke Mediations today to learn more about how their services can help you efficiently navigate the divorce process and move forward with your life.

An experienced courtroom lawyer like Beth Reineke brings legal knowledge, financial experience, and practical insights to the mediation process that non-attorney mediators do not. Contact Reineke Mediations today to learn how, among the other substantially essential benefits to choosing mediation and other forms of ADR, most Tampa pre-suit and uncontested divorce mediations reach a resolution, and agreements are signed and ready for filing in four to six weeks.

How Long Does Divorce Litigation Take in Tampa, Florida?

The duration of divorce litigation in Tampa, Florida, can vary significantly depending on various factors, including the case’s complexity, the parties’ level of cooperation, and the court’s caseload.

While providing an exact timeline is challenging, divorces in Tampa typically follow a general process that can take several months to several years to complete, including:

• Filing of Petition

The divorce process begins when one spouse (the petitioner) files a petition for dissolution of marriage with the court. The other spouse (the respondent) is usually formally served by the Sheriff, or a Private Process Server with the Petition and any other court documents initially filed by the Petitioner and then has an initial 20 days to respond to the Petition.

• Discovery

Both parties exchange financial information, documentation, and other relevant evidence through discovery, which may involve requests for financial records, interrogatories, depositions, and different methods of obtaining information pertinent to the divorce.

• Negotiations

Parties may attempt to informally negotiate a settlement agreement through their attorneys to resolve disputed issues such as asset division, child custody, visitation, and support. If they are unsuccessful, then a formal mediation session with a mediator is required by the Court before any Temporary Relief Hearing or the Trial can be set on the Court’s calendar.

• Attorney Assisted Mediations

Before a case can be set for a Temporary Relief Hearing or for Trial on the Court’s calendar, the parties and their attorneys are required by local rule to attend mediation. When attorneys attend mediations with their clients, mediation sessions are often conducted virtually and each party and their attorney are in separate “virtual rooms”. This enables the parties and attorneys to converse privately with and without the mediator. The mediator then “travels” between rooms conveying the settlement offers. Because of the logistics, these types of mediations are often set in half day and full day increments. It is not unusual for attorney assisted mediations to go 8-12 hours. This of course means they are very expensive. However, they can be productive if the attorneys and the clients have adequately prepared for mediation.

• Pre-Trial Hearings

If the parties are unable to reach a settlement at mediation, the case will likely require a pre-trial hearing. Most Courts require the attorneys to prepare detailed written pretrial statements. These pretrial statements can often take hours to prepare depending on the details requested by the judge. During these hearings, the court may address outstanding discovery matters, preliminary evidentiary matters, set deadlines, and schedule future hearings and trial dates. Sometimes, the attorneys believe they will need several days for trial, but the judge will only schedule one day for trial, which may necessitate continuances and result in a pro-longed trial process.

• Trial Preparation

Before trial, the attorneys prepare their cases by gathering evidence, identifying witnesses, and developing legal arguments. This phase may involve extensive preparation and in office client participation.

• Divorce Trial

If the case goes to trial, both parties present their evidence and arguments before a judge, who decides the contested issues. The length of a divorce trial depends on the complexity of the case, the number of disputed issues, and the number of witnesses each party subpoenas to testify.

• Final Judgment

After the trial concludes, the judge may take the matter under advisement; meaning they will make decisions at another time. This could result in days, weeks or even months of delays.  Ultimately, the judge will issue a final judgment of dissolution of marriage, which outlines the divorce terms, including division of assets, child custody, visitation, support, and determines any other outstanding legal matters. At that point a party who is not happy with the result, may file an appeal, resulting in more fees and more time in the court system.

The entire initial divorce litigation process in Tampa can take anywhere from six to eight months to several years, depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the efficiency of the legal proceedings.

Unlike litigated divorce cases, which can last months or even years, most mediations are usually completed, and agreements are signed and ready for filing within four to six weeks.

Why Choose Tampa Family Law Mediation Attorney Beth Reineke

At Reineke Mediations, we firmly believe any aspect of divorce and custody can be resolved without a courtroom fight. Attorney Reineke has mediated complex property divisions, entrenched custody disputes, high-stakes alimony, and child support issues. She provides creative suggestions, gentle guidance, and reality-check wisdom from her years of experience in the courtroom.

Practical solutions come from experience—understanding the law, the facts and figures, and knowing that there are a myriad of options available to parties at mediation to address their specific needs. Proactive options that can keep the parties out of court now and in the future.

Whether you and your spouse both live in Florida or if one spouse lives out of state or out of the country, our skilled Hillsborough County mediator offers in-person and virtual mediation sessions, prior to filing and after filing. These sessions facilitate productive discussions between couples, helping them reach mutually acceptable solutions to all their unique divorce and family-related issues, including child custody, spousal support, property division, and more.

Contact Beth Reineke to discuss whether your family law needs are a good fit for mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution during a free phone consultation.

What is Unique About Tampa, Florida?

Tampa has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. The city has several historical and cultural landmarks, including the Tampa Theatre, the Henry B. Plant Museum, the Tampa Bay History Center, and the Ybor City Historic District, which is known for its vibrant Cuban culture. Visitors can explore the area’s landmark cigar factories, colorful buildings, and lively nightlife and enjoy authentic Cuban and Spanish cuisine and a wide range of entertainment.

The city of Tampa is a gateway to Florida’s Gulf Coast, with easy access to nearby beaches, islands, and coastal communities. Residents and visitors can enjoy day trips to popular destinations such as Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, and Anna Maria Island for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. Additionally, with  easy access to the Tampa Riverwalk, a scenic pedestrian pathway along the Hillsborough River, residents and visitors can enjoy waterfront parks, marinas, and other outdoor recreational activities.

Tampa is also a major sports destination. It is home to three professional sports teams – the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL), and Tampa Bay Rays (MLB). The city also hosts major  events, including the annual Florida State Fair; the Gasparilla Pirate Festival; and the Outback Bowl.

The city’s culinary scene reflects its diverse population and cultural influences. It offers various dining options, from fresh seafood and Latin American cuisine to Southern comfort food and many international options.. Visitors can sample the city’s culinary delights by exploring local markets, food festivals, and its many historic neighborhoods.

Tampa has a thriving arts and cultural scene, with numerous museums, galleries, theaters, and performance venues. The Tampa Museum of Art and Straz Center for the Performing Arts are just two of the city’s cultural attractions.