Florida Child Custody Mediation
Helping Parents Create Child-Focused Parenting Solutions Without the Stress of Court
When parents separate or divorce, one of the most important decisions they face is how to raise their children while living in separate households. Child custody disputes can be emotional, stressful, and overwhelming, but they do not have to become courtroom battles.
Florida Child Custody Mediation provides parents with a confidential, respectful, and cost-effective way to resolve parenting disputes while keeping the focus where it belongs—on the best interests of their children.
At Florida Mediation and Parent Coaching, LLC, we help parents throughout Florida develop parenting plans, timesharing schedules, communication strategies, and decision-making agreements that support children’s emotional well-being and long-term success.
Our mediation services are led by Susan Buckingham, Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, Parent Coordinator, Divorce Coach, and Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), together with Tammy Simpson, CIArb., PGDip., Mediator, Divorce Coach, and Business Manager. Together, they provide compassionate guidance and practical solutions that help families move forward with confidence.
What Is Child Custody Mediation?
Child custody mediation is a structured process where parents work with a neutral mediator to resolve parenting issues without asking a judge to decide for them.
Rather than focusing on blame or past disagreements, mediation encourages parents to:
- Identify their children’s needs.
- Improve communication.
- Explore practical solutions.
- Develop detailed parenting agreements.
- Reduce future conflict.
- Preserve healthy parent-child relationships.
The mediator does not make decisions for either parent. Instead, the mediator facilitates productive discussions and helps both parents negotiate agreements they can live with.
Understanding Child Custody in Florida
Florida law no longer uses the traditional terms “custody” and “visitation.” Instead, courts focus on:
- Parental Responsibility – how parents make important decisions about their children.
- Timesharing – when children spend time with each parent.
- Parenting Plans – written agreements that outline how parents will raise their children after separation or divorce.
The guiding legal standard is always the best interests of the child.
Mediation allows parents to create parenting arrangements tailored to their family’s unique circumstances rather than relying on a standard court schedule.
Why Parents Choose Mediation Instead of Litigation
Parents often discover that mediation provides significant advantages over courtroom litigation.
Benefits of Child Custody Mediation
- Keeps the focus on the children rather than conflict.
- Reduces stress and emotional strain.
- Costs less than contested litigation.
- Offers greater privacy.
- Encourages cooperative parenting.
- Gives parents control over important decisions.
- Produces customized parenting plans.
- Can often resolve disputes more quickly than court.
Children generally benefit when parents communicate effectively and work together to resolve disagreements.
Creating a Comprehensive Parenting Plan
One of the primary goals of custody mediation is developing a parenting plan that clearly defines each parent’s rights and responsibilities.
A well-crafted parenting plan may include:
Weekly Timesharing Schedule
Parents establish regular weekday and weekend schedules that provide consistency for children.
Holiday Schedule
Plans address holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and school breaks.
Summer Vacation
Parents discuss summer schedules, travel, camps, and extended vacations.
School Decisions
Agreements identify how educational decisions will be made, including school enrollment, tutoring, and extracurricular activities.
Medical Decisions
Parents determine how medical, dental, vision, and mental health decisions will be handled.
Communication
The parenting plan may establish expectations for communication between parents and between children and the parent who is not currently exercising timesharing.
Transportation
Parents decide who is responsible for pickups, drop-offs, exchange locations, and transportation costs.
Future Dispute Resolution
Many parenting plans include procedures for resolving future disagreements through mediation before returning to court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is child custody mediation required in Florida?
In many contested family law cases, Florida courts require mediation before a trial. Even when mediation is not required, many parents choose it because it can save time, reduce costs, and encourage cooperative parenting.
Can mediation help if we disagree about almost everything?
Yes. Mediation is specifically designed to help parents work through disagreements with the guidance of a neutral mediator.
Can we participate if we live in different cities?
Absolutely. We provide secure online mediation services throughout Florida.
Will the mediator decide custody?
No. The mediator does not make decisions. Parents remain responsible for creating their own agreements.
What happens if we cannot reach an agreement?
If mediation does not resolve all issues, parents may continue through the court process for any remaining disputes. Many families, however, resolve most or all issues during mediation.
Schedule Your Child Custody Mediation Consultation
Your children deserve parents who can work together, even during difficult transitions.
Whether you are creating your first parenting plan, modifying an existing agreement, or preparing for court-ordered mediation, our experienced team is here to help.
Contact Florida Mediation and Parent Coaching, LLC today to schedule a confidential consultation and begin building a parenting plan that supports your children’s future.
