Family Mediation Services in Tampa
Guiding You Through Family Mediation With Care and Clarity
In addition to our divorce services, Sessums Law Group, P.A. offers confidential family mediation as an alternative process to resolve disputes. Our highly qualified mediators, Ms. Jensen and Ms. Boulos, are both certified by the Florida Supreme Court, ensuring the highest standard of professional experience in mediation. They guide parties through the issues included in a Mediated Settlement Agreement, providing trusted guidance and support. When the mediation is complete, parties will have everything they need to finalize their dispute without the necessity of extensive litigation.
Our scheduling process is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through our online calendar, making scheduling a mediation as convenient as possible. Simply select the Scheduling tab today to schedule your mediation.
Why Choose Sessums Law Group, P.A. for Family Mediation?
- Board-Certified Qualifications: Attorney Mark A. Sessums holds unique certifications in marital and family law, ensuring proficient legal services.
- Diligent & Ethical Representation: Our practice is grounded in ethics and rigorous attention to detail, providing trustworthy legal support.
- Bilingual Services: We offer support for English and Spanish-speaking clients, catering to Tampa's diverse community.
Contact us at (813) 212-8330 for a consultation and take the first step towards a smoother divorce process with our Tampa family mediation attorneys.
Family Mediation Services in Tampa Tailored for Residents
In the vibrant community of Tampa, family mediation serves as a vital resource for those facing disputes. Local families often encounter challenges such as navigating custody arrangements, property division, or communication breakdowns. The Hillsborough County Family Court provides essential resources and information for families seeking mediation, ensuring that residents have access to the support they need during difficult times.
Understanding the unique dynamics of Tampa, our mediation services are designed to address the specific pain points that families in the area face. Whether you are dealing with the stress of a divorce or the complexities of co-parenting, our mediators are here to help you find a resolution that respects your family's needs. We recognize that many families in Tampa are looking for solutions that minimize conflict and promote cooperation, allowing them to focus on what truly matters—the well-being of their children.
For many couples, working with a divorce mediator in Hillsborough County can make the legal process feel more manageable and less overwhelming. We can walk you through common questions about how mediation sessions are structured, what documents you should gather in advance, and how to prepare to discuss issues like parenting plans and support. By taking time to explain each step, we help you feel more confident about what to expect before, during, and after mediation.
Additionally, the local community offers various resources, such as the Tampa Bay Area Family Support Services, which can provide further assistance and guidance. By choosing family mediation, you can avoid the lengthy and often costly litigation process, allowing you to maintain control over your family's future. Our mediators are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where you can openly discuss your concerns and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement.
When mediation is part of a broader divorce mediation strategy, we place particular emphasis on practical solutions that work in everyday life, not just on paper. We draw on our experience in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit and familiarity with local court expectations to help you craft agreements that are clear, durable, and easier to follow. This approach can be especially valuable for families who want to preserve working relationships while still protecting their long-term interests.
At Sessums Law Group, P.A., we understand the importance of community and the challenges that Tampa families face. Our goal is to empower you through the mediation process, ensuring that you leave with a clear path forward. With our convenient online scheduling available 24/7, getting started on your mediation journey has never been easier.
What To Expect During Divorce Mediation
Many people are unsure what actually happens in mediation and how it differs from a traditional courtroom process. During divorce mediation, you and the other party typically meet with a neutral mediator in a conference room setting, either at our Tampa office or virtually, to discuss each issue that needs to be resolved. The mediator facilitates conversation, helps you explore options, and keeps discussions focused on workable solutions rather than past conflicts. While the process is informal compared to a hearing at the Hillsborough County Courthouse, it is structured so that each person has an opportunity to speak and to be heard.
Before the first session, we help you gather important information such as financial records, proposed parenting schedules, and any existing court documents so that your time in mediation is productive. At the mediation itself, we often begin with joint discussion and, when needed, may move to separate rooms so the mediator can speak with each side privately and relay proposals back and forth. This format can be especially helpful if emotions are running high, because it allows you to communicate your concerns in a calmer setting while still working toward a resolution.
At the end of successful sessions, the agreements you reach are summarized in writing so they can be incorporated into your final court orders. This gives you a clear roadmap for how property will be divided, how parenting time will be shared, and how future decisions will be made, all without the uncertainty of a contested hearing. Understanding these steps ahead of time can make the idea of working with a divorce mediation attorney feel more approachable and less intimidating.
Schedule Your Mediation Consultation Today
Contact Sessums Law Group, P.A. to discuss your family law mediation needs and schedule a consultation with a Florida Supreme Court-certified mediator who will provide clear guidance, explain your options, and help you move toward a fair and efficient resolution tailored to your goals. From the first conversation, we focus on understanding your situation and making the process straightforward, respectful, and results-driven.
Interested in family law mediation? Our family law mediation lawyers at Sessums Law Group, P.A. are Florida Supreme Court Certified mediators and can help you reach a fair agreement. Call us at (813) 212-8330 or contact us online.
Our FAQ
As a way to educate the public and help anyone navigating their options find clear answers in a trying time, we’ve conducted a thorough question and answer session with both of our mediators, Ms. Jensen, and Ms. Boulos. We asked them the following questions to get their answers out to you.
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Who Can Benefit from Family Mediation?
Anyone can benefit from mediation. It allows the parties to decide the outcome of their case, since they are decision makers in mediation. It also allows the parties to stay in control of their lives, rather than having someone else make decisions for them (such as a judge).
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Is Mediation a Mandatory Process?
No, mediation is a voluntary process.
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What to Expect During Your Mediation Session?
You can expect to be in private, separate conference rooms or offices that incorporate calming elements to help create a collaborative environment utilizing technology when appropriate. Mediation sessions are a minimum of 2 hours long but can be scheduled in advance for as long as the parties expect they will need to come to a resolution.
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What Does a Mediator Do?
A mediator is a neutral party and does not represent either you or the other party in your case. The role of a mediator is to help identify issues to be resolved, explore options for resolving those issues, reduce obstacles of communication between the parties, and assist them in reaching a mutual agreement. The mediator cannot give either party legal advice.
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Do I Need an Attorney for Mediation?You may attend mediation without an attorney. You may also attend mediation before you have filed with the court. You may resolve all of your issues without the need to go to court or hire an attorney, depending on the issues in your case. You may also attend mediation if one party has an attorney and the other does not.
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What Are the Advantages Mediation for Family Law Matters?
One of the primary benefits of family mediation is the ability for parties to maintain control over the outcome of their case, rather than leaving decisions in the hands of a judge. This process fosters open communication and collaboration, allowing individuals to express their needs and concerns in a supportive environment. Additionally, mediation is often more cost-effective and time-efficient compared to traditional litigation, which can be lengthy and expensive. By opting for mediation, families can work towards amicable solutions that prioritize their unique circumstances and relationships.
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What qualifications does a mediator have?
A mediator has been certified by the Florida Supreme Court and is required to participate in continuing mediation education every year. A mediator must take classes and have experience mediating before they will be certified. In addition, Sessums Law Group mediators are also licensed and experienced family law attorneys who represent clients in court in addition to handling mediations.
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What points/topics are discussed in mediation?The points/topics discussed at Sessums Law Group mediations are focused on family law matters that can range from dissolution of marriage with or without children, paternity, enforcement of Court Orders/Judgments, child custody, child support, spousal support, temporary relief issues, modification and other family-related topics.
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How can I prepare for a mediation?To prepare for mediation, you should think through all the issues in your case. You should consider what evidence you have and what evidence the other party has that a court might consider. You should think about what issues are most important to you, and what areas you may be willing to compromise. Most importantly, you should prepare yourself for open communication and flexibility as you will be working together with the mediator and the other party to resolve the issues involved in your case.
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Can I bring someone with me to a mediation?Only parties and their attorneys are permitted to attend a mediation, except in limited special circumstances.
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Is a mediation confidential?
Yes. Everything said and learned in the context of mediation is confidential. If you reach an agreement, only the signed agreement will be filed with the court. Any other documents, notes, or other information remains confidential. Everything you tell the mediator is confidential and everything the other party tells the mediator is confidential. You may not tell anyone else what you learned from or about the other party during mediation.
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How can mediation save cost in family law disputes?
Mediation saves on cost because it is an effective way of settling disputes without the necessity of extensive litigation.
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What happens if we do not come to an agreement?
If you do not come to an agreement at mediation, your case will continue in the court system and will be set for hearing in front of a judge. The judge will then decide what happens.
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What if we do reach an agreement during the mediation?
If you reach an agreement during mediation, we will put the agreement in writing and both parties will sign the agreement. Then, the mediator will notify the court of the agreement and file a copy of the agreement with the court. The next steps and whether you will still need a brief hearing will depend on what the issues are in your case, and whether you came to a full agreement (resolved all your issues) or a partial agreement (resolved some issues but left some for the court to resolve).
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Is Mediation Legally Binding?
Yes, agreements reached through mediation can become legally binding once both parties and the court approve them. In Tampa, mediated agreements are typically submitted to Hillsborough County courts for approval. Once agreements are reached, we assist in drafting detailed and legally sound documents that reflect the decisions made during mediation. Our meticulous process ensures that all aspects of the agreement are clear and enforceable under Florida law, minimizing the potential for future disputes or modifications.
Triple Board Certified
Florida's Only Attorney with All Three Certifications
Mark A. Sessums is the only lawyer in Florida who is Board Certified in all three areas
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Florida BarMarital & Family LawBoard Certified Since 1997 -
Florida BarCivil Trial LawBoard Certified Since 2010
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National Board of Trial AdvocacyTrial AdvocacyBoard Certified in 2015
Our Settlements & Verdicts
Sessums Law Group, P.A. Attorneys Take Pride in Delivering Exceptional Results for Our Valued Clients
Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.
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Confidential Settlement Divorce Action
Recently, we were hired as the replacement lawyer for a United Kingdom citizen who was in the middle of a complex Sarasota divorce and was seeking new counsel. Both our client and her husband were elderly. Three years before their marriage, the husband had transferred a very valuable Sarasota residence to his later wife pursuant to a warranty deed that had no written side agreements.
"Our firm believes in the integrity of the needs of the each client we represent. We are passionate about obtaining the maximum results allowable under the law for each client."
- Mark A. Sessums