Skilled Uncontested Divorce Mediator in Tampa, Florida

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Uncontested Divorce Agreement in Florida

At Reineke Mediations, Tampa Bay’s uncontested divorce mediator Beth Reineke knows ending a marriage by a mutual decision on amicable terms is the best-case scenario. But even in an uncontested divorce in Florida, you have to be careful.

If an uncontested divorce is handled by the spouses independently, many legal and financial considerations can haunt them later because they are not thoroughly covered in their written marital settlement agreement.

The good news is, you do not have to turn your uncontested divorce details over to a family law litigator, but you can still protect yourself and your future by pursuing the process through mediation with a skilled family law attorney who is a certified mediator. Contact Beth Reineke to discuss whether your Florida uncontested divorce negotiation needs are a good fit for pre-suit mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution during a free phone consultation.

Ending a marriage by mutual decision on amicable terms is the best-case scenario. But even in an uncontested divorce, you have to be careful. There are many legal and financial considerations that can come back to haunt you if not thoroughly covered in your marital settlement agreement.

If you are interested in exploring mediation as an option for your uncontested divorce agreement, please give Reineke Mediations a call at (813) 205-6675 or contact us online. You can also schedule a mediation with Beth Reineke by clicking here.

What Can Be Determined During Uncontested Divorce Mediation in Florida?

Uncontested Divorce Law in Tampa Bay

You may have a “kitchen table” divorce agreement and think you are ready for a quick divorce. Closer examination by a neutral attorney may reveal gaps and loose ends that should be addressed in a formal written agreement. There is no substitute for the trained eye of an experienced divorce lawyer.

What exactly have you agreed to? Are you really in agreement on the issues? Are there gray areas or ambiguous terms? Have you missed critical scenarios? For instance, what if the house doesn’t sell, or what if, as parents, you stop getting along?

Tampa Bay attorney and mediator Beth Reineke offers assistance to couples for an uncontested divorce (Florida no-fault divorce) by preparing the related legal documents:

Legal separation agreements— an interim solution to clarify financial and legal matters if you are not ready to divorce.
Marital settlement agreements— a comprehensive document needed when dissolving the marriage for resolving marital financial affairs.
Parenting plans— a contract detailing terms of custody, time-sharing and visitation schedules, and shared parental responsibilities.

Even if you have everything worked out, as a neutral mediator, Beth Reineke can review your outlines and notes and help you and your spouse cover all your bases. As your mediator, she will prepare your settlement agreement and your court documents so that all you have to do is submit them to the court for approval. If it turns out that you and your spouse have some unresolved issues, attorney Reineke is a highly experienced mediator who can get you the rest of the way without hiring competing attorneys and resorting to litigation.

Attorney Beth Reineke is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Divorce Mediator. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience litigating, mediating, and settling uncontested divorce cases in the Tampa Bay Area, she conducts virtual and in-person mediations for families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties and provides free phone consultations for Florida parents.

Do I Need an Attorney to Pursue Uncontested Divorce Mediation in the Tampa Bay Area?

It is very common that couples come to us thinking that they are in total agreement, only to discover they have loose ends, unexplored issues, or even major disagreements. Beth Reineke draws on her years of experience in mediating, negotiating and litigating divorce and custody cases to help you build on common ground and work out any remaining issues.

In an uncontested divorce, you must agree on everything:

You may be tempted to go to a non-attorney to have your divorce agreement drawn up, or to even to fill out your agreement from a do-it-yourself kit. However, there is no substitute for a knowledgeable lawyer creating these important documents for you. It will cost you far more — personally and financially — if you try to handle this yourself and end up in court later because you overlooked an important issue.

As your Tampa Bay divorce mediator, attorney Reineke has the experience to draw up your marital separation agreement, your parenting plan and the supporting court documents required to be filed with the court, including:

A petition for dissolution of marriage.
A waiver of formal service of process.
A response and answer to the petition.
Alimony calculations.
Child Support Guideline Calculations
Certificates of Compliance with Rule 12.285(mandatory disclosure).
Financial affidavits.
Residential affidavits.
Title IV affidavits.
UCCJEA affidavits for custody and time sharing.
Various notices and motions..
A final judgment dissolving your marriage.

Unfortunately, you cannot simply “go your separate ways.” All these documents must be properly prepared to pass muster with the court, and all disputes must be resolved.

Yes, it is possible to do an uncontested divorce even if you have child custody disputes or other complex issues related to the division of your assets or debts. It may take more than one mediation session and perhaps outside professionals to iron out all the issues, but you will be happier with the resulting agreement than if you went to court and left these very personal and complex issues up to a judge who doesn’t know you or your family.

Once your marital agreement is finished, if you would like you can each take it to your own attorneys for review before you sign it. Attorney Reineke will incorporate any final changes to the agreement before you sign it, and she will prepare the court documents so you can file an uncontested divorce with the court. Contact Beth today to learn how she can put her three decades of Florida family law and mediation experience to work for you.

If you are interested in exploring divorce mediation as an option to resolve your issues, please call (813) 205-6675 or contact us online. You can also schedule a mediation with Beth Reineke by clicking here.

Are There Specific Residency Requirements for Uncontested Divorce in Florida?

Yes. At least one spouse must have resided in the State of Florida for six months immediately preceding the date of filing of the divorce action. This is typically proved using a valid Florida driver’s license, a valid Florida id card, a current Florida voter’s registration card, or an affidavit or the testimony of a neutral third party who knows the party has resided in the state of Florida for six months immediately preceding the date of filing of the divorce action.

Are Uncontested Divorce Mediation Agreements Legally Enforceable in Florida?

Yes, uncontested divorce mediation agreements reached in Florida can be legally enforceable, provided certain conditions are met. When spouses participate in uncontested divorce mediation and reach agreements on issues such as property division, alimony, child custody, and child support, those agreements can be binding and enforceable by the court. Once the parties reach an agreement through mediation, the terms of the agreement can be incorporated into the final divorce decree. The divorce decree is a court order signed by a judge, and its terms are legally binding.

What Happens If Florida Spouses Cannot Reach an Uncontested Divorce Agreement in Mediation?

While the goal of mediation is to facilitate agreement, it is not always possible due to various reasons. If spouses in Florida cannot reach an uncontested divorce agreement through mediation, several expensive, time consuming scenarios may unfold.

They include:

Retaining Legal Representation

Parties may choose to retain legal representation to navigate the contested divorce process. Attorneys can provide legal advice, advocate for their clients’ interests, and guide them through court proceedings.

Formalized Legal Process:

The legal process becomes more formalized in a contested divorce. Both parties may be required to submit legal documents, provide evidence, participate in depositions, and proceed with court hearings.

Court Litigation

The unresolved issues may be presented to the court, and the divorce case may proceed to trial. This involves each attorney presenting their client’s case before a judge, who will make decisions on matters such as property division, alimony, child custody, and child support.

Appeal

The “losing spouse” may decide to appeal the trial judge’s decision. Then, appellate attorneys are hired to file formal pleadings on behalf of their clients with the District Court of Appeal, who at some point will decide whether the trial judge was right or wrong, and the whole process may start over again.

Attorney Mediator Beth Reineke has found that if a couple is really committed to resolving their differences during mediation they can do so even in the most difficult of circumstances. This will save them a lot of time and money, which is better spent elsewhere.

Does Uncontested Divorce Mediation Take a Child-Centered Approach to Creating an Agreement?

Yes. The primary focus of uncontested divorce mediation is to prioritize the best interests of the children involved in the divorce. The goal is to develop parenting plans and agreements that consider the well-being and needs of the children, fostering a cooperative and child-focused co-parenting relationship. Mediators guide parents in making decisions that prioritize the physical and emotional well-being of their children related to child custody, visitation schedules, and parenting responsibilities are made with the children’s best interests in mind.

Is an Uncontested Divorce the Same as a Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Action in Florida?

No. A Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Action is a streamlined divorce action. Spouses with no joint assets, no joint liabilities, no minor children, and who are not seeking any financial relief from the other party can file a Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Action. Spouses filing Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Actions are not required to file a written marital agreement and are not required to complete and file financial affidavits. Spouses who do not meet these requirements must file a formal written marital settlement agreement and must complete and typically must file financial affidavits with the court clerk.

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Supreme Court Certified Mediator

Not all mediators are licensed attorneys – Beth Reineke brings legal experience and practical insights to the mediation process.

Over 3 Decades of Legal Experience

Reineke Mediations has over 3 decades of legal experience in helping families find divorce resolutions.

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Litigation Free

We believe any aspect of divorce and custody can be resolved without a courtroom fight. Beth Reineke has experience with mediating complex property division, entrenched custody disputes, and high-stakes alimony and child support issues. Reineke Mediations provides creative suggestions, gentle guidance, and reality check wisdom from years of hard work in courtroom wars.

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We offer free phone consultations and reasonable rates for mediation, drafting of agreements, preparation of court documents and other mediation services. During your initial consultation, attorney Beth Reineke will discuss the benefits of mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and whether these methods are the right fit for your situation.

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