Not Every Divorce Has to Be a Toxic Battle. There Is a Better Way.
You are at the point where you can still shape how this ends, and mediation is a way for people in Coral Gables to do that without handing control to a judge. The right mediator keeps both sides focused on what actually needs to be resolved, which is the part that makes the difference between an agreement you can live with and one that falls apart six months later.
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Collaboration Over Conflict
Mediation lets both sides resolve custody, support, and property issues without a courtroom. Cases that settle in mediation tend to close faster, cost less, and hold up better over time. Cabanas Law Firm has board-certified mediators on staff who can represent you as your attorney through the mediation process or serve as a neutral third-party mediator in Coral Gables. Either way, you gain a structured path to an agreement both sides can live with.
"Sergio Cabanas and his team were very responsive, they answered all of my questions and provided updates. They are true professionals which helped me to feel confident and protected when making decisions."
What Our Clients Think of Cabanas Law Firm
Would recommend this firm to friends. I engaged them to handle making an adjustment to my divorce settlement agreement. As it was likely to cost less than the retainer in this case, they kindly agreed to refund any remaining money. They handled everything perfectly and professionally, and I’ve just received a check with the remaining funds. Thank you Cabanas
I would highly recommend attorney Sergio Cabanas to anyone going through a divorce. In fact, I’ve already referred some of my friends. His knowledge of family law was evident from the get-go and it helped me to feel confident and protected when making decisions. His communication skills are outstanding. Sergio Cabanas and his team were very responsive, they answered all of my questions and provided updates. They are true professionals.
Mauricio Cubas
My experience with Cabanas Law Firm was outstanding, thanks to Erick Estrada, the case manager, and Attorney Sergio Cabanas. Erick was incredibly supportive, keeping me informed and making sure every step of the process was smooth and stress-free. His professionalism and dedication truly set him apart. Attorney Sergio Cabanas provided expert legal guidance, ensuring the best possible outcome for my case. I highly recommend their team for anyone seeking reliable and compassionate legal assistance.
Cabanas Law Firm is amazing! The whole team is super professional and really cares about their clients. A big shoutout to Nichol, the paralegal, for being so helpful and responsive. She went above and beyond to answer my questions and provide guidance. If you need a great law firm, this is the one to go with.
Practice areas
Divorce mediation in Coral Gables usually addresses property division, parenting plans, and support agreements together, since mediation resolves your complete case rather than just the divorce decree itself. Our Coral Gables divorce mediation attorneys coordinate across all these areas so nothing falls through the gaps.
Divorce
Divorce
High NetWorth Divorce
High Net Worth Divorce
Divorce Mediation
Divorce Mediation
Alimony
Alimony
Family Law
Family Law
Your family's future shouldn't wait for We're changing how Florida does family law.
Child Custody/ Timesharing
Child Custody/ Timesharing
ChildSupport
ChildSupport
Asset & Debt Division
Asset & Debt Division
Simplified & Uncontested Divorce
Simplified & Uncontested Divorce
DomesticViolence
DomesticViolence
Your Case Won't Wait. Neither Will We.
Divorce mediation asks you to make major decisions while managing the mechanics of dissolving a marriage, and the firm you choose either streamlines that process or complicates it further. We built our practice to help take that weight off you. Here is how we do things differently for divorce mediation cases in Coral Gables.
We speak your language, including Spanish, Russian, and Arabic.
This is all we do. Every resource, every team member, every case.
We have handled the full range of Florida divorce matters.
The decisions reached in divorce mediation in Coral Gables become the foundation of your post-divorce life, which makes how you enter that process matter. Our Coral Gables divorce mediation attorneys are board-certified mediators who follow a structured process designed to keep both sides heard and the conversation productive, even when the topics are difficult. We work to reach agreements that reflect your actual circumstances rather than outcomes imposed by a court. Leaving that room with terms you understood and accepted, rather than terms handed down to you, is what this process makes possible.
Step 1
In‑Depth Discovery
There is a lot that goes into a divorce case, and the details matter more than most people expect. We learn everything we can about your situation, your family, and the other side. That preparation is where outcomes are shaped.
Built Around Your Goals
The goals you set out to achieve are what drive every decision we make, from your case evaluation through the final resolution. Every strategy, filing, and negotiation is measured against what actually matters to your family.
Life on Your Terms
We work to resolve your case with as little disruption to your life and finances as possible, so at the end of it all, it is your life on your terms.
FAQ
Wondering whether mediation can actually resolve your case without going to court? These answers cover how the process works and what to expect.
Mediation is a structured negotiation process where both parties, usually with their attorneys, work with a neutral mediator to resolve disputed issues. The mediator does not make decisions. Their role is to facilitate communication and help both sides reach an agreement. Florida courts require mediation in most divorce cases before a trial can be scheduled.
A typical mediation session begins with both parties in the same room for opening statements, then moves to separate rooms where the mediator goes back and forth relaying proposals and counteroffers. The process is confidential, meaning what is discussed in mediation generally cannot be used against either party in court if the case does not settle.
Mediation addresses all disputed issues: timesharing, child support, property division, alimony, and anything else the parties have not agreed on. If agreement is reached, the mediator drafts a written settlement that both parties sign. That agreement is then incorporated into the final judgment. If mediation does not result in full agreement, the unresolved issues proceed to trial. Most cases settle at or before mediation, which makes it one of the most important stages of the entire process.
Yes. Mediation is now statutorily required statewide before trial. There are limited exceptions, such as cases involving documented domestic violence, where the court may waive the requirement. Even in those cases, mediation may still be available if both parties agree to participate with appropriate safeguards.
The requirement exists because courts have found that mediation resolves cases faster and at lower cost than trial. It also gives both parties more control over the outcome. A negotiated agreement reflects what both sides can live with. A court-imposed judgment reflects what the judge decided, and neither side may be satisfied with it.
Even if you believe the case will eventually need a trial, mediation is still worth taking seriously. Issues that settle in mediation reduce the scope of what has to be litigated, which reduces time and expense. Going into mediation with a clear understanding of your priorities, your financial position, and what you are willing to concede is the most effective preparation.
Mediation can address every issue in a divorce: timesharing and parenting plans, child support, property and debt division, alimony, who keeps the marital home, tax-related matters, and any other disputes between the parties. If both sides agree, the scope is unlimited. The mediator helps structure the conversation, but the decisions belong to the parties.
Many people assume mediation only handles the easy issues and that anything contentious requires a judge. That is not how it works. Some of the most complex disputes, including business valuation, relocation, and alimony duration, are resolved in mediation because both parties prefer a negotiated outcome to the uncertainty of trial.
Some parenting plans include a provision requiring mediation for future disputes as well. If the parents later disagree on a school, a medical decision, or a change in the timesharing schedule, they return to mediation before filing a motion with the court. This can be written into the agreement at the time of the divorce, and both parties can even designate a specific mediator they trust for future issues.
Mediation is significantly less expensive than trial. A mediation session typically lasts one day and costs a fraction of what litigation requires. Trial preparation involves discovery, depositions, expert witnesses, and multiple court appearances over weeks or months. Most attorneys will tell you that the cost of a full trial exceeds the cost of mediation by a wide margin.
The mediator's fee is usually split between both parties. Attorney preparation time for mediation is real but limited compared to trial prep. A single day of mediation that resolves the case eliminates months of litigation expense.
The cost calculation goes beyond attorney fees. Trial means time away from work, prolonged uncertainty, and emotional toll. Mediation gives both parties a chance to resolve the case in a controlled setting where they have direct input into the outcome. That does not mean you should accept a bad deal just to avoid trial. It means that when a fair resolution is available, mediation is the most efficient path to reach it. An attorney who prepares you properly for mediation puts you in a position to negotiate from strength without needing to litigate.
You are not legally required to have an attorney present at mediation, but it is strongly recommended. The mediator is neutral and cannot give legal advice to either party. Without your own attorney, you may agree to terms that seem reasonable in the moment but are unfavorable when measured against what the law provides. Having an attorney ensures you understand the legal implications of each proposal before you agree.
The mediator's job is to facilitate agreement, not to protect your interests. If your spouse arrives with an attorney and you do not, the negotiation is inherently unbalanced. Your spouse's attorney is advocating for their client. The mediator is not advocating for you.
An attorney at mediation serves several roles: they help you evaluate proposals against what a court would likely order, they identify terms that could create problems down the line, they ensure the written agreement is complete and enforceable, and they push back on proposals that are not in your interest. Mediation is often where the most consequential decisions of the entire divorce are made. Having legal counsel at that table is worth the investment.
If mediation does not produce a full agreement, the unresolved issues proceed to trial. Anything that was agreed upon in mediation can still be incorporated into the final judgment. The case does not start over. Only the disputed issues go before the judge, and the court schedules the trial based on the complexity of what remains.
Partial agreements in mediation are common and valuable. If the parties agree on property division and child support but cannot resolve alimony, only the alimony issue goes to trial. This narrows the scope of litigation and reduces cost.
Mediation discussions are confidential. Statements made against interest for the purpose of trying to facilitate compromise cannot be used against you in trial. The reality is that all compromise that ends in a partial settlement is a concession, and the settlement will be ratified in the final judgment. But your negotiating positions and offers that were not accepted remain protected. This confidentiality is what allows both sides to negotiate freely. Understanding that protection gives you more room to explore creative solutions during the mediation itself.
The mediator should be a Florida Supreme Court certified family law mediator with experience in cases similar to yours. If your divorce involves complex financial issues, the mediator should be comfortable with business valuation, retirement accounts, and high-value asset division. If custody is the primary dispute, a mediator experienced in parenting plan negotiations is more appropriate. Both parties must agree on the mediator.
Many attorneys have mediators they have worked with before and trust to run an effective process. Your attorney can recommend mediators who are familiar with the judges in your county and who understand the likely range of outcomes for your specific issues. That familiarity matters because a good mediator helps both sides calibrate their expectations against what a judge would realistically order.
If you and your spouse had a positive experience with a mediator during the divorce, you can designate that person in your parenting plan as the mediator for future disputes. This avoids the delay and expense of finding a new mediator every time a disagreement arises. Having that provision in writing gives both parties a clear path to resolution without defaulting to court.
Reaching a settlement outside of court can help preserve relationships and may offer more privacy during the legal process. When you are ready to move forward, a confidential Case Evaluation is a sensible first step.
Our team uses this conversation to verify that your case type falls within our practice and that you are located in a jurisdiction we serve. We also check for conflicts of interest so we can determine if we are able to accommodate your matter.
Reach out now to discuss your needs with our mediation team in Coral Gables.
