Ending a marriage is difficult, and many people want to do it in a way that protects their children, financial stability, and privacy. If you are considering a mediated divorce, working with a divorce mediation attorney can help you move forward with clarity instead of conflict. At Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A., we guide clients through divorce mediation while working to protect what matters most.

Our family law team is based in the Tampa Bay region and regularly assists clients who live and work in and around St. Petersburg. We focus on thoughtful resolutions that reduce unnecessary damage to family relationships. Our Protection Without Destruction® approach reflects that goal in every decision we make with you.

Our firm is rated Tier 1 in Family Law by U.S. News Best Law Firms and has been recognized among the best divorce lawyers in the area. When you contact us, you speak with a team that handles complex and high stakes family matters, and that limits its caseload so we can give your case careful attention.

Contact our trusted divorce mediation lawyer in St. Petersburg at (813) 223-5421 to schedule a confidential consultation.

Why Choose Mediation For Divorce

Many spouses in St. Petersburg want to avoid a drawn-out and hostile court battle. Divorce mediation offers a structured way to resolve property division, parenting arrangements, and support with the help of a trained neutral, rather than leaving every decision to a judge. The focus is on problem-solving and compromise, not on “winning” against the other spouse.

During mediation, you and your spouse work through the issues in confidential sessions. Instead of testifying in open court, you have the opportunity to talk through proposals and practical solutions. For parents, this can be especially important. A mediated parenting plan can reflect your children’s school schedules, activities, and the realities of life in and around St. Petersburg much more precisely than a generalized court order might.

Mediation can also be a good fit for couples with significant assets or business interests. Rather than airing detailed financial information in a public courtroom, you can address complex property and support questions in a more private setting. Our Protection Without Destruction® philosophy aligns closely with this process, because we work to support your long-term financial and family interests while minimizing unnecessary damage.

We know that mediation is not appropriate in every case. Some situations require a court’s immediate intervention, such as serious safety concerns. Part of our role is to help you evaluate whether mediation is likely to be productive for you and your family, and to discuss other options if it is not.

How Our Attorneys Support Mediation

Even in mediation, you benefit from having a divorce mediation lawyer who understands Florida family law and who is focused on your goals. Our attorneys help you prepare for mediation sessions, understand your rights, and evaluate whether proposed agreements are workable in the long term. We see ourselves as both advisors and steady guides during a difficult transition.

When you work with our firm, we start by listening. We want to understand your family structure, your financial picture, and your priorities for life after divorce. Our attorneys collaborate internally on strategy, especially when there are high-value assets, business ownership, or complex parenting issues. This collaborative model means you are not relying on a single perspective, but on the shared insight of a family law team.

We intentionally manage a limited caseload so that we can devote the necessary time to each mediation matter. For you, that can mean thoughtful preparation before each session, prompt answers to questions, and an attorney who has time to focus on the details that matter. Many clients who are going through a mediated divorce tell us that this level of attention helps them feel more secure in their decisions.

Our Tier 1 ranking in Family Law and recognition as some of the best divorce lawyers in the Tampa Bay region reflect the trust that families place in us with significant matters. We bring that same level of care to mediated divorces, whether the issues involve a family home, retirement accounts, or long-term support planning.

When you work with our team in mediation, you can expect:

• Clear explanations of your legal options before and during mediation sessions
• Careful preparation of financial and parenting information so you can negotiate with confidence
• Guidance that focuses on long-term stability for you and your children
• Drafting and review of agreements to help ensure they reflect what was discussed in mediation

Our goal is to stand beside you through each step, so you are not facing this process alone or unsure of what you are agreeing to.

Divorce Mediation Process In Florida

Understanding the process can make divorce feel more manageable. In Florida, a mediated divorce typically follows several stages, and our attorneys work with you throughout those stages. While each case is different, many mediated matters share a similar structure.

Most clients begin with a consultation at our office, where we discuss your situation and whether mediation is likely to be appropriate. If you decide to proceed, we help you gather information about assets, debts, income, and expenses, and we talk with you about your goals for parenting time and decision making. These conversations help us prepare you for discussions that will take place with the mediator.

Mediation sessions are usually held at a neutral location, sometimes in person and sometimes through secure video platforms. The mediator does not decide the case, but helps you and your spouse communicate and explore options. During breaks and before sessions, we speak with you about legal considerations and help you assess proposals. If agreements are reached on some or all issues, we work to put those terms into written form.

Once a full written agreement is in place, it generally must be submitted to the court for approval. For many families in this region, that involves proceedings in the family law division that serves Pinellas County within the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Our team handles the legal documents and court filings associated with a mediated settlement, including the petition for dissolution, the marital settlement agreement, and any parenting plan that may be required.

There is no single timeline that fits every mediated case. Factors such as the number of issues in dispute, the availability of the spouses and mediator, and the court’s schedule all influence how long the overall process may take. We discuss these variables with you at the outset and as your matter progresses, so that you have a realistic understanding of what to expect.

To prepare for divorce mediation, many clients find it helpful to:

• Collect recent financial records, such as tax returns, bank statements, and retirement account summaries
• List property and debts, including real estate, vehicles, loans, and credit cards
• Think about practical parenting schedules that align with school and work in this area
• Identify priorities that matter most to you, such as stability for children or preserving a particular asset

Our attorneys guide you through this preparation in a structured way, so it feels like a series of manageable steps rather than an overwhelming task.

St Petersburg Divorce & Family Issues

Families who live or work in St. Petersburg face real-life questions that go beyond legal terms. A parenting plan must work with school start times, commute patterns, and extracurricular activities. A property division must take into account the local housing market and the practicalities of maintaining or selling a home.

For parents, mediation often focuses on building a timesharing schedule and decision-making framework that fits their children’s needs. That might involve questions about where children will attend school, how holiday time is shared, and how parents will handle transportation when they live in different parts of Pinellas County. Because you know your children better than any judge, mediation can be a powerful way to craft a parenting plan that fits your family’s particular routine.

For couples with significant assets, such as business ownership interests, investment accounts, or multiple properties, mediation can provide a more tailored way to address these issues. Our attorneys regularly handle high asset divorces and bring that experience into mediation. We work with you to understand how Florida’s equitable distribution principles apply to your situation and to explore options that reflect both present needs and future security.

Every family is different, and our team recognizes that there is no single roadmap for a mediated divorce. We stay current on developments in Florida family law that affect property, support, and parenting, and we use that knowledge to help you make informed decisions. We also understand how the procedures of the family court in Pinellas County can affect timing and documentation, and we manage those procedural steps so you can focus on the substance of your agreements.

If you are unsure whether divorce mediation is a good fit for your circumstances, we invite you to speak with us about your situation. A confidential consultation can give you a clearer picture of your options and how our attorneys may be able to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if mediation is right for my divorce?

Mediation is often a good choice if both spouses are willing to negotiate and share information. If there are serious safety issues, other approaches may be more appropriate. During a consultation, we talk with you about your situation and help you assess whether mediation is likely to be productive.

Do I still need my own divorce mediation attorney?

Having your own attorney gives you someone whose role is to protect your interests and explain the law. The mediator is neutral and cannot advise either spouse. Our team helps you prepare, attends mediation with you when appropriate, and reviews proposed agreements before you sign.

Can mediation work if we disagree about the children?

Many parents start mediation with significant disagreements about parenting time or decision making. Mediation can still help if both of you are willing to focus on your children’s needs and listen to options. We work with you to develop proposals that prioritize long-term stability for your children.

How long does a mediated divorce usually take?

The time required depends on how many issues need to be resolved, the availability of everyone involved, and the court’s schedule. Some mediations conclude in a few sessions, while others take longer. We discuss likely timelines with you and keep you informed as your case moves forward.

What makes your firm a good fit for mediation?

Our firm combines a Protection Without Destruction® philosophy with a Tier 1 Family Law ranking and a deliberately limited caseload. That means we focus on constructive solutions and have time to prepare carefully with you. Our collaborative team brings broad family law experience to each mediated matter.

Talk With Our Mediation Team

Choosing how to move through your divorce is one of the most important decisions you will make at this stage of your life. If you believe mediation might offer the calmer, more private path you are looking for, our attorneys are ready to discuss how we can support you through that process.

At Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A., we bring a Protection Without Destruction® mindset, a Tier 1 Family Law ranking, and a carefully managed caseload to each divorce mediation we handle. We are here to listen, explain your options, and work with you toward agreements that support both your family relationships and your financial future.

To talk confidentially with a divorce mediation attorney in St. Petersburg and learn more about your options, contact our office today.

Contact us at (813) 223-5421 to schedule your consultation with our reliable divorce mediation lawyer in St. Petersburg and start your journey toward a clearer, more secure future.