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Eric Has All The Answers About the PeacefulSplit® Divorce Mediation Process And Is Ready To Help You Now.
Equitable Distribution is the standard by which Florida courts determine a fair and reasonable distribution of assets and debts between the spouses "The court must begin with the premise that the distribution should be equal." Section 61.075(1), F.S.
During mediation with Eric, the spouses will discuss and negotiate a resolution of all financial issues which will be reflected in a divorce settlement agreement. Contrary to the court's process of dividing property, in mediation, each decision will only be reached based upon agreement of both parents.
Eric's settlement agreements are usually around 40-45 pages in length, and provide detailed provisions for the what, how, and when of each issued settled and distributed to the spouses.
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In the mediation session, Eric will help the couple to discuss and meaningfully negotiate resolution of issues concerning health insurance, life insurance, and income taxes, and will draft a customized and detailed divorce settlement agreement. Which spouse will stay on the health insurance policy of the other spouse? For how long? Who will be responsible for the premiums and out-of-pocket expenses? With respect to life insurance, the couple will decide if life insurance will be required by either spouse? Who will be named beneficiaries? For how long? With respect to income taxes, decisions will be jointly made about how tax returns will be filed (e.g., jointly, married but separate, or individual)? How will taxes and any refunds be allocated?
Mediation is not an all-or-nothing approach. Meaning, that even if you can agree on how to divide each and every assets and debt, the mediation process can still be successful. Of course, the goal of mediation is to resolve all issues so that the settlement agreement Eric drafts encompasses resolution of every topic and issue. However, once in a while, despite good-faith negotiations, the couple cannot resolve one issue. In that unlikely scenario, the settlement agreement will resolve almost every issue, but the open issue will be left to the judge to decide.
As mentioned above, when the court decides the distribution of assets and debts, the court "must begin with the premise that the distribution should be equal." Section 61.075(1), F.S. However, the power and value of mediation with Eric is that you both will control how each assets, debt, and related issues (such as insurance, taxes, alimony) are divided-up between each spouse. For some couple, they will default to the basic 50-50 split. For many couples, they will arrive at a unique division of each topic in whatever amounts or percentages that makes sense to them. All of these decisions will be reflected in the divorce settlement agreement that Eric personally drafts just for you and your situation.
Generally speaking, every couple that agree to work with Eric can resolve all of their differences so that a settlement agreement can be drafted and submitted to the court. Eric reminds all couples that at the outset of the mediation process, all that they need to agree upon is that they want to be the ones to control their financial future - and not turn that power and control over to the court. If you and your spouse share that mindset, are focused on being fair and reasonable, and want peace more than war, you will reach an agreement that is fair and equitable and meets both of your needs.
As with any issue in divorce, the court maintains the power and authority to modify any agreement. That is because the court must process the divorce and approve all filed documents. However, as a general proposition, it is highly unlikely that the court would be inclined to change or modify provisions of the settlement agreement that was negotiated in good-faith by the parties with a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator. As a practical matter, you will both control all decisions and issues about your assets, debts, alimony, insurance, taxes, etc.
Eric Has All The Answers About the PeacefulSplit® Divorce Mediation Process And Is Ready To Help You Now.